Musings on the Theme and Invitation to “Breathing the Beloved” Online Retreat (September 17-19)
- By Maryann Concannon
“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.’” Matthew 3:17. This verse is from the story of Jesus’s baptism.
I was first touched by this verse when I joined the School of the Spirit’s program Participating in God’s Power. Beloved was the theme of the first residency of the first cohort. From the moment I heard this verse I knew it was speaking to me, that I was God’s Beloved child, and I knew that if I believed this deeply, it would change me.
Fast forward to a few months ago when the School of the Spirit’s retreat committee decided to read the book Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. I had read something else by Nouwen and didn’t care for it. But given this topic, I was intrigued.
Although being the Beloved has touched me deeply since Participating in God’s Power, I can’t say I always truly believe it. I struggle with this blessing sometimes. The busyness of life and internal distractions get in the way of connecting with the Divine. Nouwen explains that “You are my Beloved” reveals the most intimate truth about all human beings and that self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us “Beloved.” Self-rejection is a big enemy of mine. But by going deep in worship we can hear the sacred voice more clearly. Becoming the beloved means we let the truth of our Belovedness permeate everything in our lives.
Nouwen’s becoming the Beloved includes four aspects: accepting being Chosen, being Blessed, Broken, and as a result, Given. ”The first step in the spiritual life is to acknowledge with our whole being” that we have already been chosen. How do we get in touch with our chosenness? Acknowledge that the power-hungry world tells you many lies about who you are, look for people and places where your truth is spoken, and celebrate your chosenness constantly. Nouwen suggests that gratitude is the most effective way to celebrate chosenness.
Gratitude is also effective for embracing our Blessedness. Blessings surround us if we can be present to them. Our Brokenness reveals something unique about us. No two people are broken in exactly the same way. Nouwen suggests two ways to respond to our brokenness: first befriend it, second, bless it. This reminds me of Buddhist meditations about suffering I have found very helpful in times of trouble. Lastly, Nouwen says of being Given that “Our humanity comes to its fullest bloom in giving.” He encourages us to embrace the joys that come from service to others and society.
Near the end of the book, Nouwen sums up a truth which spoke deeply to me: “The truth of Belovedness is, put simply, life is a God-given opportunity to become who we are, to affirm our own true spiritual nature, claim our truth, appropriate and integrate the reality of our being, but, most of all, to say ’YES’ to the one who calls us the Beloved.”
If I have piqued your interest in this topic of being the Beloved, I invite you to dive deeper into it by registering for “Breathing the Beloved,” an online reflective retreat sponsored by School of the Spirit on September 17-19, 2026.
Join with Friends and seekers for “Breathing the Beloved” online retreat when we will explore the Divine as love, being loved ourselves, and embodying love in community. Shared online hours are 7-9pm Eastern Thursday September 17, 7-9pm Eastern Friday, September 18, and 2-6pm Eastern on Saturday September 19, 2026. The registration fee is $50, though if that is more than you can afford, ask for financial support in the amount needed. The last day to register is September 12.
– Maryann Concannon
