Dear Friends,

Every year, on the first Sunday in Epiphany, we are given the story of Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan. This year, we read from the gospel of Matthew that as soon as Jesus was baptized by his cousin John, the skies open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven says, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

As many of you know I’m a big fan of Henri Nouwen, and for decades, his book, Life of the Beloved has remained in my bedside chest.  In Henri’s mind, Jesus’ identity as “beloved” lies at the core of his ministry and shapes everything he is and does.  And it also lies at the core of who he wants us to be and do.  In other words, we too are God’s beloved, with whom God is well pleased.  But do we believe that?

As I reflect upon this question, I’m well aware how difficult it is to take in, to really believe in my own belovedness in an ongoing way, as my core identity.  And I’m reminded that Jesus own experience was that, right away, right after he was baptized and heard God’s voice, he was sent into the desert and tempted to listen to other alluring voices about his deep identity, tempted to choose between his true or his false self.

As a little child I learned, and felt, that God is love, and I trusted that Jesus loves me and that the rule of life in following him is to love others. Yet there have been many other voices, within and without, that have pushed me and influenced my choices. Whenever I have worked with others around the identity of being God’s beloved, they have shared similar struggles. So many wounds from not being well-loved, from being told of failure, insufficiency, even worthlessness.

In the words of Henri Nouwen, “these are lies.”  Instead, “the biblical story assumes that God is a passionate lover, longing for abiding intimacy, giving us the Spirit to help guide our choices. Gently shifting the imagination, redefining the possibilities of the life’s abundance and hope.”*

In other words, Jesus resisted the lying, accusatory voices and lived out the truth of being the beloved. Although his life and teachings are full of invaluable messages, this one stands out for me as the essential one for each of us as we enter this new year and the Season of Epiphany, a season of light and revelation.

You are the beloved. I am the beloved. Living out of that truth is what changes the world.

In Christ,

Amelie+

*Heni Nouwen, Life of the Beloved (New York:  Crossroad Publishing, 1992), 32-35