Through our baptism we, too, become the beloved of God; there may not have been a voice from heaven when I was baptised in a small country church in Staffordshire 50 odd years ago, but through the grace of the sacrament I know myself to be beloved of God.

There is an echo of this in today's Isaiah reading where the Prophet says, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by name, you are mine.’ (43.1) and again ‘Because you are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you,’ (v.4)

But do we live as the beloved of God? Sometimes in all the frenetic activity of church life we lose sight of the assurance that we are beloved of God, we do not take time to be with him in prayer, retreating as Jesus did into God’s presence.

But resting in the love of God is not the only implication of being beloved of God. Immediately after his baptism, Jesus is thrust out into the wilderness where he encounters the tantalising attractions of the world. 

We, too, are sent out into the world to live as the beloved of God and we, too, face the temptations of the world. Like Jesus, our retreating and resting in the love of God should prepare us for this engagement. 

This week's news

So what impact does this have on the news this week about welfare reform? A search of the BBC website will give a number of slants on the story. 

There are, of course, two sides to the argument. The Government argues that the budget deficit needs to be cut and that the only other way would be to cut services such as education or health care.

The Opposition say that the cuts are being made to the most vulnerable in society and that it would be possible to focus on increasing tax rates rather than benefits.

The Guardian looks at the impact of this on the Disability Law Service. While the Telegraph applauds the 1% rise in benefits. 

This is a complex argument but one I believe Christians should reflect on very carefully.

Isaiah’s assurances of being called by name and precious in the sight of God appear universal in their application and make significant claims about human nature.

The baptismal voice seems more specifically focused on Jesus and the baptised, but the well documented ‘bias to the poor’ of the gospels implies a care for those disadvantaged people that the Opposition ask us to think of.

Reflection

Do you hear the voice of God calling you ‘beloved...’ How does being precious in the sight of God impact your daily life? Does this realisation influence your understanding of society?

Prayer

An opening greeting that reflects the Isaiah passage

The Lord says, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.’
‘I have called you by name, you are mine.’

A Collect

Heavenly Father,
when Jesus was baptised by John at the Jordan
you revealed him as your Son:
may we recognise him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.

A hymn

You might like to sing Helen Kennedy’s hymn ‘Spirit of God, come dwell within me’. It can be found in Common Ground and in Church Hymnary 4 and Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise. 

A dismissal

My brothers and sisters,
as beloved children of God,
go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.

Questions

• Am I right to try to link spiritually and social concern in this way?
• Should politics and religion be kept apart?

Action

Small ribbons looped and pinned to your lapel have been used by lots of organisations to draw attention to their cause. This Sunday you could buy enough ribbon in a colour that has not been appropriated (we are going to use blue which also links with the water of baptism). Each person is given a length and a pin as they enter the church and after the sermon they are invited to pin the ribbon to a neighbour's lapel with the words ‘Remember that you are beloved of God’.

You might offer people the chance to remember their baptism by having the sign of the cross marked on their forehead by a minister. Alternatively you could sprinkle them with water from the font. A bunch of rosemary works well and adds a pleasing smell.

Young People

Do you remember your baptism?

What does being beloved of God and precious in his sight mean to you?

Mark Beach is Dean of Rochester

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