Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
During this Christmas/Epiphany season I have been meditating upon the spiritual notion that Christ is a mirror of our true selves. In many respects what is true for Jesus is also true for us. When we gaze at an image of Jesus and contemplate his presence, we see our true selves mirrored in his face. We get a glimpse of ourselves as whole human beings in a holy, life-giving relationship with God.
The image with this post is a simple icon of the Baptism of Jesus, which we celebrate on the Second Sunday of Epiphany. Imagine yourself there in the water with Jesus or maybe even in his place. Picture the scene. Imagine John pouring the water over your head. Visualize the Holy Spirit descending upon you in the shape of a dove. And most importantly hear these words spoken to you by God the Father: “You are my beloved child; in you I am well pleased.”
What is true for Jesus’ baptism is also true for you and me. We are God’s beloved sons and daughters, filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a spiritual reality worth contemplating the rest of our lives.
~ PR