Day 38 – You are My Beloved Child
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After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
At Jesus' baptism, God's voice was like a public announcement to everyone present, declaring the identity of Jesus to all.
As we are baptized, we share in the divinity of God. God the Father also declares to the world that we are His Beloved children. Just as God was well pleased with Jesus even though he had not begun His public ministry, God is well pleased with us, needing no proof of our fidelity and worthiness. The gift of our status as a Beloved child is truly unconditional.
God the Father has a particular instruction for us, "Listen to Him." This affirmed the "Conditions of Discipleship" instructed by Jesus to us, His followers. If you may recall, the same instruction was given to us through Mother Mary at a wedding in Cana.
His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever He tells you."
Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the climax of the Holy Week, the Lenten Season, and in fact the whole liturgical year for various reasons. The obvious reasons are Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist as well as the Holy Order during the Last Supper. It was also the most intimate time Jesus had with His Apostles. We are all familiar with His washing of the disciples' feet during the Last Supper, showing His deep affection for them, while demonstrating the model of a servant leader for them to follow. Mind you, Judas was there during that most humbling feet washing ritual.
Even during His most painful time, Jesus did not exclude Judas from receiving His love for him. This most intimate relationship excludes no sinners. There is no exception to the rule, as long as you accept His love.
Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well."
"Unless I wash you, you have no share with me."
This kind of love is what quenches the thirst of Jesus for our affection.
The telling of the parable of the Vine and the Branches (John 15:1-10), and in particular, the Prayer of Jesus to His Father (John 17) in the presence of His Apostles, unmistakably show us how much Jesus and His Father want to be completely united with us, His Beloved. Shortly before His arrest, Passion and death on the Cross, Jesus' last words and prayer for us are not to be taken lightly!
REFLECTION
By showing us how He related to His Beloved Son, Jesus, God the Father also shows us the extent He wishes to intimately relate to us. Take a moment to taste and feel the sweetness and tenderness of our Heavenly Father.
Do you believe that God’s love for us shows no partiality, that an intimate relationship with Him is possible with no exception?
TODAY'S PRAYER
I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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I do realize that we are all ‘beloved children’ of God. However, do I behave as one? Do I always ‘listen to Him’ and ‘do whatever He tells you’? Do I taste and feel the Heavenly Father’s tenderness? Abba Father, please grant me the grace to find You in all things! Help me to behave as a ‘beloved’ child of yours!
Jesus washed the feet of Judas and Peter. It”s easy to wash the feet of the one you love but not the one who betray you. Jesus, teach me to love and forgive all my enemies.