Like many people of his time and place, Jesus went out into the Judean wilderness to be baptized by John in the shining blue waters of the Jordan River. Jesus was praying when heaven opened up and the Holy Spirit fell fresh upon him. Then Jesus heard the voice of God say, “I love you.” This is the moment from which the whole ministry of Jesus arose. It all started with him knowing, deep down, and fully amazed, that he was utterly and forever loved by God.

There is a vast diversity of ways for humans and God to connect. God shows up in every kind of circumstance to say to us “I love you.” It is from these infusions of God’s love that our ministry springs.

Each assurance from God opens us further to the possibility of our own transformation. Not just once, but time after time and in myriad ways, as the Apostle Paul says, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us."

Each of us is on a sacred journey in this tumultuous time. To each of us is given the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire us, and always, to carry us through. God loves us! God treasures us! God says to each and every one of us, every day: “You are my beloved child, in whom my heart delights.” Thanks be to God! Amen.

Luke 3:21-22 (NRSV) and Romans 5:1-5 (KJV)