Beloved! Can you believe it?

This past Sunday we heard the story of Jesus’ baptism. The story has an ending filled with good news: “…a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'” Mark 1:11

In the Forum discussion we shared our own stories of baptism and the faith within us. In the sharing  we wondered about the mystery of being “in Christ” and if we are in Christ then we, too, are “beloved.” It is almost too good to be true. It certainly is a grace, unmerited, but greatly needed. Several in the group remembered that “being the beloved” was at the center of the writing and teaching of Henri J.M. Nouwen (1932-1996).

To further the Sunday conversation here is Nouwen in his own words:

• Note: the YouTube video (you will discover) has 8 parts. You will be able to find and select Parts 2-7 in the right hand panel of the YouTube screen when viewing Part 1. Alternatively you can search YouTube using “Nouwen” as your search term.
• Visit the website Henri Nouwen Society for a wealth of resources
• Beloved: Henri Nouwen in Conversation was a book read and recommended by some of our members

Author: Daniel Rondeau

I am a husband and father and an Episcopal Priest (now retired) in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. View all posts by Daniel Rondeau