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Scripture: Matthew 3:17: And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Abridged: There are times in life when the Holy Spirit is present and God is speaking, but there is no prophet to make it known. Meditation: There are two passages in the Gospel according to Matthew where the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus (Matthew 3:17 and Matthew 17:5) when people hear God say, "This is my Son … with whom I am well pleased.” The first was at the River Jordan after John baptized Jesus; and the second was on a high mountain with Peter, James, and John when Jesus was transfigured and appeared to stand in the presence of Moses and Elijah. It is important to note that at both of these occasions, a prophet in addition to Jesus was present when the Holy Spirit appeared and God’s voice was heard. John the Baptist, a prophet of God, was present at the baptism, and Moses and Elijah were present at the transfiguration. Conversely, when Jesus was on the cross giving his life entirely to God and moving through the portal from human existence to divine life, the Gospels do not state that a prophet was present, and no voice from God is heard announcing, “This is my Son … with whom I am well pleased.” When Jesus provided the most critical and complex example of attaining unity with God, he appeared alone. Was this merely because no prophet was present to perceive God’s voice? Are there times in our lives when the Holy Spirit is present and God is speaking, but there is no prophet to make it known? Prayer: In your Holy Spirit, we have unity amid our diversity. In your Son, Jesus Christ, we have the hope and promise of eternal life. In your Creation, our needs are fulfilled with an invitation to enjoy far more than we can imagine. For all of this, Holy One, we give you thanks and praise in the name of the one who is, who was, and who is to come – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen Enter password: .