Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” vss. 21-22
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
When John began baptizing by the Jordan, people came out from all the area to hear him preach and to receive a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. One of those who came to hear him was Jesus, and he was so moved that he too went down into the water for baptism. It became for him the defining experience of his life! After his baptism, as he was praying, he had a profound and overwhelming experience of God’s presence and call. At that moment he heard words of affirmation and felt deep and unconditional love. But more than that, out of that experience he was led to proclaim that same message to every person that he encountered. That’s what happens when the Holy Spirit breaks into our lives. In one way or another we realize that at the core of our being we are loved–in fact we are the beloved children of God. That moment of awakening is precious to us: it could happen in baptism or in some sort of altar call or in a time of meditation. There is no prescribed pathway. But oh how wonderful it is to know that we are precious children of God!
Thought for the Day: When did I realize that I was loved by the Universe?
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