We find the story of Jesus baptism in the the beginning of the Gospel of Mark. It is a beautiful story where we meet John the Baptist, who affirms who Jesus is. He then baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan. According to Mark, at the baptism the heavens opened and the affirmation "Thou art my beloved son with thee I am well pleased," is affirmed. It is a powerful phrase. It is God's blessing.

I like that phrase and often us it at baptisms.  There is a sense that this new baby, this new life is a gift from God or is a son or daughter of God.  There truly is a sense of the divine breathed into the soul of every baby. So every birth or every baptism is truly "my beloved son or daughter."

But there is another level of meaning here. It is important to remember that Mark was written about 35 or 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. So Mark is writing with "look back" knowledge. And I have to believe that there is a sense in which he saying, "Look at his life. Look how he lived. He cared, he loved, he healed, he trusted, he obeyed God's Will." The quality of his life would certainly affirm "Thou art my beloved son with thee I am well pleased."

And how about us. We are born "God's son or daughter. The divine presence is breathed into us at our birth" However, when we come to the end of our lives and people do a "look back" what are they going to say?

Might it be... "This was truly God's son/daughter in whom God was well pleased." I don't know about you but I have a lot of work and growing to do.