No fit baptismal, John knew,
Were Jordan's muddy waters
For that one, the latchet of whose shoe,
He felt, he was not worthy to touch.
But Jesus, through this very meekness,
Submission to earth's highest present concept,
Perceived the true baptismal substance.
He saw the Spirit, soft as a dove descending,
Enveloping him.
He heard it in joyous tones declaring,
"This is my beloved Son,
In whom I am well pleased."
Ezekiel, long before, had said
God has no pleasure in death.
He said that life is God's command to man,
That God is pleased with your living,
With my living.
We have only to turn from false belief, he said,
To find our own true being.
Paul said that Enoch knew
That he pleased God.
Before he was translated
He had this reassuring word.
Our very having faith, Paul said,
Pleases the Father well.
How sweet a thing to know this very day,
To know one's selfhood pleases Him
Eternally and infinitely,
Pleases Him well.
