Matthew 3:13-17 Reflection ~
I am blessed with the opportunity of teaching teens how to mature into loving Christians. Along with watching them learn to be like Jesus, I am grateful when I see them embrace faith. Every year some teens become Lectors or Extraordinary Eucharist Ministers. To stand in front of them to receive Eucharist or listen as they proclaim the Word makes my heart leap for joy. It is easy to imagine a voice from heaven describing them. “This is my beloved Son or Daughter, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Baptism of Jesus by James Tissot
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Reflections
Matthew 3:13-17 – Scripture*
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 3:13-17 Reflection – A Voice from Heaven.
Additional Thoughts
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 3 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.