If this passage sounds familiar from a previous post, it is indeed overlapping a reading from December 13.

Jesus’ baptism opened up the sky to reveal God. He received the Holy Spirit, and received approval from the Father Himself.

Similarly, this is what happens when you are in alignment with what God wants you to do. It’s a revelation not only to yourself, but also to the others around you in an awe-inspiring manner. Those around you will see you as someone that transcended. Not only will you gain a majority approval, but feel the same from God. For yourself as a person, it is an experience that’s beyond surreal. From personal experience, time seems to slow down while tasks are effortless. It’s pure joy in the moment, and at times, accompanied by goosebumps. In psychology, this is known as flow. In sports, it’s the zone.

From Wikipedia and according to the psychologist, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, who coined the term:

“Flow is completely focused motivation. It is a single-minded immersion and represents perhaps the ultimate in harnessing the emotions in the service of performing and learning. In flow the emotions are not just contained and channeled, but positive, energized, and aligned with the task at hand. To be caught in the ennui of depression or the agitation of anxiety is to be barred from flow. The hallmark of flow is a feeling of spontaneous joy, even rapture, while performing a task.”

Comment to begin discussion.

The Reading | Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

The people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

After all the people had been baptized
and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him
in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son;
with you I am well pleased.”

Note: Published 2/4 for 1/10