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As we prepare for this Sunday’s reading from Luke 3:1-22, I invite you to reflect on a question that sits at the very heart of this passage: What does it mean to be beloved of God?

This reading takes us into the wilderness, where John the Baptist calls people to repentance, urging them to prepare their hearts for the One who is to come. At its climax, we see Jesus stepping into the waters of the Jordan River, identifying not only with humanity but also with the profound act of surrender that baptism represents. And then something extraordinary happens. As Jesus rises from the water, the heavens open, and a voice proclaims, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you, I am well pleased.

It is a moment filled with wonder and grace—a declaration of identity, love, and approval. And it prompts us to ask: what does it mean to be beloved of God?

To be beloved is not to earn favor through perfection or good works. Jesus’ baptism happens before his public ministry begins, before the miracles, teachings, or acts of healing. This suggests that being beloved is rooted in something deeper—God’s unconditional love and acceptance. It is a gift freely given, not a reward to be achieved.

When we consider ourselves as beloved of God, it shifts how we view ourselves and others. It reminds us that our worth is not tied to what we accomplish or how we measure up. Instead, our worth is anchored in the steadfast love of the One who created us, calls us by name, and claims us as God’s own.

But this isn’t just a personal truth; it’s a communal one. To be beloved of God means we are called to see others as God’s beloved too. It challenges us to love without condition, to extend grace to the hurting, and to stand in solidarity with those who feel unseen or unloved.

So, as you reflect on this question—What does it mean to be beloved of God?—I invite you to consider how this truth shapes your life. How does it feel to imagine God speaking those words to you? How might it change the way you approach your relationships, your work, or even your struggles? And how can we, as a community of faith, embody what it means to live as God’s beloved together?

May this question draw us deeper into the waters of God’s grace, reminding us that we are held, cherished, and called to live out this belovedness in the world.

Let us pray:

Amazing God, You call us Your beloved. Help us to live into this truth, embracing Your grace and sharing Your love with others. May we see ourselves and all people through Your eyes, as precious, as cherished, as worthy. Amen.

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