Being the Beloved

Today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the conclusion on the season of Christmas. In the Gospel we hear the voice of the Father speaking of Jesus saying, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.” At Christmas we celebrate that Jesus was truly human and so it must have made him very happy to know that he was loved by his father. We too are beloved sons and daughters of God. In our baptism God claimed us for his own. Through all the joys and difficulties of life we return to the surety of our identity. Who we are is not dependent upon how much money we have or how successful we are in the world’s eyes. Who we are was established at our baptism. We are the beloved of God and He is pleased with us.