When Jesus received the baptism of repentance from John the Baptism, showing solidarity with the repentant people — He without sin and with no need for conversion — God the Father made his voice heard from heaven: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (v. 17). Jesus receives approval from the heavenly Father, who sent him precisely that he might accept to share our condition, our poverty. Sharing is the true way to love. Jesus does not dissociate himself from us, he considers us brothers and sisters and he shares with us. And so he makes us sons and daughters, together with him, of God the Father. This is the revelation and source of true love. And this is the great time of mercy!
- Angelus, January 12, 2014 Pope Francis
We do not know how many heard the Father’s voice, “this is my beloved Son”. Was it heard by the crowds or just by Jesus and John the Baptist? It does not matter. We are not accustomed to hearing voices speak to us from heaven in the usual audible sense. But hopefully we hear God speak in our hearts. One of the most important messages we can hear in heart and mind is that we are God’s beloved God loves us. Knowing and believing that we are loved is often enough.
- Angelus, January 12, 2014 Pope Francis
We do not know how many heard the Father’s voice, “this is my beloved Son”. Was it heard by the crowds or just by Jesus and John the Baptist? It does not matter. We are not accustomed to hearing voices speak to us from heaven in the usual audible sense. But hopefully we hear God speak in our hearts. One of the most important messages we can hear in heart and mind is that we are God’s beloved God loves us. Knowing and believing that we are loved is often enough.