Just Because You Are You
Dear Savannah and Sutton,
Our economy is built on productivity and competition. We drag this same approach into our spiritual journey. Doing more and producing more seems like the way to please others, and ourselves, with our religious attributes. Being productive is probably essential to our physical survival, but it can be a hinderance to our spiritual survival. I think that which is essential to our spiritual survival includes being self-aware, practicing grace toward yourself, and being still long enough to hear the divine voice within say, “I am so proud of you, just because you are you.”
-Dad
Inside Out Lectionary Letters
Year A - Baptism of the Lord (Texts, Art, Hymns)
Readings for January 11, 2026
Isaiah 42:1-9 / Psalm 29 / Acts 10:34-43 / Matthew 3:13-17
Summary of Matthew 3:13-17
The Lectionary continues the story of Jesus's baptism, the first half of which was the scripture for the second Sunday of Advent. (For more background, see the December 1st commentary.) Despite John’s objections, he consents to baptize Jesus. Following the baptism, the Spirit of God appears like a dove, and the voice of God affirms Jesus.
Scripture as a Mirror of the Soul
What might we learn about ourselves if we view the characters and storyline as reflective of our inward journey? John is a prophet, a voice of one crying in the wilderness. He is an example of the dynamic feminine voice within. This voice can be dramatic. It is sometimes set apart from the crowd. It sees the world from a different angle. And this voice often says what others are unwilling to say. The call to repentance is a call to change direction. The feminine dynamic voice senses when something doesn’t feel right or doesn’t seem right. Individuals who lean into this personality style have a trusted inward intuition. Those who don’t often have a tough time trusting their intuition.
The dynamic feminine voice is sometimes called the Transformer voice. It is accessible to all, but some have this as a dominant personality style. When out of balance, this personality can be abrasive and insensitive to their affect on others, yet they also tend to be charismatic. This part of a person cares deeply about others, but can be impatient when change doesn’t happen.
John shows us what it looks like to be in balance. He has a message of repentance, but he knows that it is not the whole story. He wants people to “change direction” but he knows that Jesus holds the message of where the change should lead. John has strong opinions, but listens to the instructions of Jesus.
So where might inward reflection take us?
How does the Transformer voice speak up within you? Where is the energy to bring about an important change in direction? What would you do if you weren’t afraid of the response of others?
If you are naturally a Transformer, what are the other voices within that will keep you in balance? Can you admit that what you see clearly is still only part of the whole story. How can you increase your awareness of the impact you have on others?
The dove is an image of peace. John seems to be a character of confrontation. When John listens to the voice of another, Jesus, the voice of balance and wholeness, the voice of the divine, he gets to experience peace. What would bring you a sense of peace within.
Water is often a symbol of the unconscious. We think of the water’s of baptism being waters of cleansing. Yes, that fits with repentance. But baptism is also about new birth. Here the symbolism is of entering into the journey and exploration of the unconscious. It is about exploring a new level of understanding; a new way of living. And here the divine voice says, “I am pleased.” And remember that to the best of our knowledge Jesus has not yet taught, preached or healed. This is not a journey of productivity, but rather of greater consciousness and peace.