A gift of affirmation
The words of the Father to Jesus on the occasion of his Baptism…
“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
~ Matthew 3:17
The feast day of Jesus’ Baptism is so auspicious that I had never before considered that these words could also be for me. This morning, the pastor at our new parish gave each of us at Mass, each son and daughter, this Scripture as a gift of affirmation.
He reminded us that God gave these words to his Son at the beginning of his ministry, before the miracles and apostles and sacrifice, before Jesus had done anything well. We tend to pass out this life-affirming gift so sparingly, only after someone has done something well and too often with a back-ended preposition following them. Not our loving Father. He remembers our true worth and tells us today that we are his beloved.
Never before I have needed those words more. And like Jesus, as Father pointed out, these are very important to hear at the start of a new period in our life. In my new home, a new town, a new church parish and five words into the homily is the gift my heart needed most. Truly, God is good!
P.s. This prayer hung on a huge tapestry in the auditorium where Mass was held. I’d never heard it before, but love it.
In the face of your enemies,
in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt,
you held firm in your faith.
Even in your abandonment,
alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith.
Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith.
I pray that I may be as bold in my beliefs as you, St. Joan.
I ask that you ride alongside me in my own battles.
Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be won when I persist.
Help me hold firm in my faith.
Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely.
Amen.
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