"Jesus walked that lonesome valley… had to walk it by himself. Nobody else could walk it for him… had to walk it by himself." This old African-American spiritual powerfully captures the essence of today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke. Jesus had just been baptized in the River Jordan. The Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.” What a moment of divine affirmation! A spiritual high of all highs—a life-changing encounter with the living God. I remember my mother [READ MORE]