Baptism of Jesus

Thoughts on Sunday's sermon: Readings are here.

Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." Peter speaks these words following his experience that confirmed to him that the gentiles were full members of the community. Paul had been trying to convince Peter of this -- it was one of the first big fights in the church about who is in and who is out - which continue in many forms up until our day. The reality of the truth that all who fear God and follow in God's ways as demonstrated by Christ - all (as Desmond Tutu says with his arms outstretched - all, all, aaaahhhlllllll) are included. The lessons today do not stop with just inclusion. Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John - the moment where although not in need of cleansing from sin or dying to his old life, Jesus choses to step into the muddy waters of life and join us in the fullness of that life. The response from the heavens echo the prophet Isaiah -- this is my beloved.

This is what the heavens say at each of our baptisms - this is my beloved -- my beloved son, my beloved daughter. With our assent to our baptism and with the community's support we break out of existence into life. We have a call and meaning.

I read an article on The Meaning of Vocation this week that moves us beyond vocation as either the province of the church or the job we hold in our everyday lives. The author speaks of this sense of being baptized into life. "In baptism we are raised from the dead, made alive to the reality that we do not merely exist but are called forth to a divine purpose." It is not a call to move away from the world into a monastery or religious orders nor a call to our particular work.

A.J. Conyers described 4 marks of this kind of call:

1. it is a call from outside oneself - from God through the community.
2. it is often against our will, like Moses - who felt he did not have the gifts of speech to lead, or Jeremiah who complains all the way through his writings that it is too hard, or Jonah who just ran away.
3. there are hardships to overcome in fulfilling the call.
4. it is easy to be diverted or distracted from the goal - maybe why Jesus included "lead us not into temptation" in his prayer.

Always our vocation is for the sake of the community not an individualistic call for our own purposes. The community is the Body of Christ where although all are equally beloved and have equal claim on God's favor - our gifts are not all the same - the Body of Christ affirmed our individual uniqueness and it is in that uniqueness the Body is built up to do the work it is called to do in the world.

Today we will renew our baptismal vows and remember our call as a community and as members of this community. As you come forward during communion dip your fingers in the water -- and reflect on the vocation to which God is calling each of us and the vocation St. James as a community.

As it is written in Isaiah:

Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the LORD, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.

Painting from Jesus Mafa

Epiphany

Last week blogger Marshall Scott published an essay on Episcopal Cafe on the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Originally seen on TV in the 50s, it is one of my favorite pieces of music to listen to at this time of year. He cites some of the lyrics about the Christ child and his thoughts about the opera:

Have you seen a Child
the color of wheat, the color of dawn?
His eyes are mild.
His hands are those of a King,
as King he was born.
Incense, myrrh, and gold
we bring to His side.
and the Eastern Star is our guide.
I am listening, as is my custom, to “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” by Giancarlo Menotti. “Amahl,” an opera in one act, was a Christmas tradition when I was small. It was written for television, and was first broadcast on Christmas Eve, 1951. In the years since it has been performed in a variety of settings. Each year it is a part of my preparation for Christmas.

Have you seen a Child
the color of earth, the color of thorn?
His eyes are sad.
His hands are those of the poor,
as poor He was born.
Incense, myrrh, and gold
we bring to His side.
and the Eastern Star is our guide.
I suppose we should consider “Amahl” an Epiphany story, really, rather than a Christmas story; but perhaps that’s an artificial distinction. (There was that year, after all, when we didn’t take the crèche down until the Feast of the Presentation.) If you’re not familiar, it is the story of the encounter of Amahl, a poor and crippled shepherd boy, and his mother, with three kings and their one long-suffering attendant. The kings follow a star to seek a child. With them they bring rich gifts, including gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When the mother asks about the child they seek (hoping, really, it might be her own son), they sing about the Child.

The Child we seek holds the seas
and the winds on His palm.
The Child we seek has the moon
and the stars at His feet.
Before Him the eagle is gentle,
the lion is meek.
As a Christian, of course, I know the Child they seek. I trust they will see him. And yet I am moved powerfully by the images they present. This Child is born both king and poor, both gentle and sad. In his tiny palm he holds storms; indeed, the universe revolves around him, from the most distant to the most familiar.

Choirs of angels hover His roof
and sing Him to sleep.
He’s warmed by breath.
He’s fed by Mother
who is both Virgin and Queen.
Incense, myrrh, and gold
we bring to His side.
and the Eastern Star is our guide.
Again, if you know the work, you know that it does have its conflict. Amahl’s mother, oppressed and obsessed with their poverty, and anxious for Amahl’s welfare, is overcome. She tries to steal a little gold “for my child.” She is, of course, discovered and seized by the attendant. Crying, “Thief!” and fending off Amahl’s attempts at defense, he brings the woman roughly before the kings.

I know something about that. Oh, I know I don’t share that sort of poverty; I’m not that big a fool. At the same time, I remember, as I try to be Benedictine myself, that St. Benedict wrote, “The life of a monk ought always to be a Lenten observance.” Enough of my spiritual life has been affected by St. Benedict and by Walter Hilton that I have some idea just how I am impoverished. The fact that I haven’t stolen gold just like Amahl’s mother doesn’t allow me to pretend I haven’t stolen other things, less tangible perhaps but no less precious. I have often enough had to remember, from the Prayer of Manasseh, “I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned; and I know my wickedness only too well.”

I know, too, the embarrassment and the fear of being exposed. I have experienced my own interim times of judgment, just as I believe I will ultimately face the last judgment. And so as her character cringes on the floor, I cringe with her.

And with her, year after year, I sob, astounded, as a king sings,

Oh, woman, you can keep the gold.
The Child we seek doesn’t need our gold.
On love, on love alone
He will build His kingdom.
His pierced hand will hold no scepter.
His haloed head will wear no crown.
His might will not be built on your toil.
Swifter than lightning
He will soon walk among us.
He will bring us new life
and receive our death,
and the keys to His city
belong to the poor.
This is grace indeed. This is indeed the promise of new life, established in the child king. This is a hope so counter to the ways of this world: a king who walks among his people, who does not take his riches from the struggles of others, who builds his kingdom on love and not on power. How amazing, how confounding that these three kings have sought, and will find, this child king whose kingdom is so different from their own! And so, the mother sings through her tears, and I through mine,

On, no, wait…take back your gold!
For such a King I’ve waited all my life

For me the opera symbolizes the journey of faith that lies before us. Will we follow a star to find the Holy One, give up our "crutches" and go with strangers on this pilgrimage that is our life?

Magi by Barbara Hughes.

Set your watch to A.D.

Blessings and joy of Christmas

Welcome, welcome, Jesus Christ our infant saviour,
baby who makes every birth holy.
May we, who like the shepherds
have witnessed in the stable a new kind of love
return to our work with joy.
May we, for whom the heavens have opened
to proclaim that God is with us
we who have fed on the living bread
and drunk the wine of heaven,
go out to be instruments of your peace, day by day.

May Christ our infant saviour give you the joy of the Bethlehem shepherds, the awe of the worshipping sages and the humility and love of the holy family. May you become as little children and be filled with all joy and peace.

A New Zealand Prayer Book

Twas in the moon of wintertime...

The "Huron Carol" (or "'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime") is a Christmas hymn, written in 1643 by Jean de Brébeuf, a Christian missionary at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons in Canada. Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in the native language of the Huron/Wendat people; the song's original Huron title is "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, he is born"). The song's melody is a traditional French folk song, "Une Jeune Pucelle" ("A Young Maid"). The well known English lyrics were written in 1926 by Jesse Edgar Middleton.

This version performed by Heather Dale, and sung in Wendat (Huron), French and English.

Lyrics in English:
twas in the moon of wintertime / when all the birds had fled
that mighty Gitche Manitou / sent angel choirs instead
before their light the stars grew dim / and wand'ring hunters heard the hymn
Jesus your king is born / Jesus is born / in excelsis gloria

within a lodge of broken bark / the tender babe was found
a ragged robe of rabbit skin / enwrapped his beauty round
but as the hunter braves drew nigh / the angel song rang loud and high
Jesus your king is born / Jesus in born / in excelsis gloria

the earliest moon of wintertime / is not so round and fair
as was the ring of glory on / that helpless infant there
the chiefs from far before him knelt / with gifts of fox and beaver-pelt
Jesus your king is born / Jesus in born / in excelsis gloria

O children of the forest free / beloved of Manitou
the holy child of earth and heaven / is born today for you
come kneel before the radiant boy / who brings you beauty, peace and joy
Jesus your king is born / Jesus in born / in excelsis gloria

Nativity and Magi

A little early for the visit of the Magi but here are the other figures of my Nativity set.

Shepherds

Here are the shepherds and one sheep from my Nativity set. More to follow.

Joseph

More thoughts on Advent IV and Joseph. Here are 2 poems of Joseph from RevGalBlogPals.

I'm a carpenter.
I make things fit. I square off the edges.
I follow the pumb line.
I measure twice before I cut once.
Surprises are not the friend of a builder.
I like to know the plan.
I like to see the plan before I begin.
But this time I'm not the builder, am I?
This time I'm a tool.
A hammer in your grip.
A nail between your fingers.
I am a chisel is your hands.
This project is yours, not mine....

by Max Lucado in He Still Moves Stones

And by J. Barrie Shepherd, Faces at the Manger

“The hardest task
The most difficult role of all
That of just being there
And Joseph, dearest Joseph, stands for that.
Don’t you see?

It is important,
crucially important,
that he stand there by that manger,
as he does,
In all his silent misery
Of doubt concern and fear.
If Joseph were not there
There might be no place for us,
For those of us at least-
So many- who recognize and know-
That heartache, for our own,
Who share that helpless sense
Of lostness, of impotence
In our own lives, our families, our jobs
In our fearful threatened world this night.
Yes, in Joseph’s look of anguish
We find our place;
We discover that we too
Belong beside the manger:
This manger in which are met
God’s peace and all our wars and fears....
Let us be there,
Simply be there just as Joseph was,
With nothing we can do now,
Nothing we can bring-
It’s far too late for that-
Nothing even to be said
Except, ‘Behold- be blessed,
Be silent, be at peace.’

Joseph, son of David,
‘Do not fear,’ the angel said.
And Jim and Alice, Fred and Sue,
Bob and Tom and Jean and Betty too,
The word to you, to all of us
Here at the manger side,
The word is also, ‘do not fear.’
Our God, the Lord and Sovereign,
Maker of heaven and earth,
Time and eternity,
Of life and death and all that is
And shall be,Has joined us in this moment…,”

And the hymn Joseph Dearest

Advent IV

The readings for the fourth Sunday of Advent are here.
This year we focus on Matthew's story of the birth of Christ. Luke focuses on Mary but Matthew focuses on Joseph. Joseph goes to bed after a hard day of learning that his intended bride is pregnant and trying decide what to do to preserve his honor and still be compassionate towards Mary. He makes s decision to put her away quietly- maybe like those girls in High School when I was young (so many years ago) - who went away to visit an aunt for 9 months and then mysteriously returned to resume life as though nothing had happened.

Joseph falls into a deep sleep perhaps the sleep of escape from the trials and anger and sadness of the day. As he sleeps Joseph dreams of an angel who gives him a surprising message that will turn his life upside down if he acts on the message. The shift from one day to the next for Joseph is stunning. When have we had such a dramatic change of heart and mind - 180 degrees? Going along thinking life is constructed in one particular way and then having something happen where we are never the same again. How do we live into this new way of being? On the other hand what sorts of things change us like this -- angels? new knowledge? new experiences where the old data no longer fits?

Looking over the whole of scripture there seems to be a lot of changes of mind and heart. God changes his mind after an argument with Abraham. Also in the desert with Moses and the Israelites. Paul after his encounter on the road to Damascus, Peter and the Gentiles, all through the Bible - God and God's people change their minds more often than not.

Not preaching Sunday but this is what intrigues me: dreams, changes, reversals, surprising times for those who choose to follow Christ. Most of all it reminds me of the song Rainbow Connection sung by Kermit the Frog.

ADVENT III

Readings for Sunday are here.

The Epistle for this week is from James. It is not a letter that we hear very often. James seems to be writing to counteract a belief that had grown from some of Paul's writings about grace. People took Paul's words to mean that Christians did not have to do anything. Jesus life, death and resurrection had handed them the keys to the car and that meant they did not have to learn how to drive responsibly and take care of the car. It is true as Paul says that we cannot earn grace by our deeds but it is also true that we show that we are followers of Christ and recipients of his grace by how we act towards one another. In first chapter of the letter of James:

22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

Actions are the reply to John that Jesus gives. John, is in prison - having spent his whole life devoted to God and preaching the coming Messiah. In what I think is one of the most poignant moments in the Bible, John sends his followers to ask Jesus: "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Have I given my life for the real thing or was I totally wrong? he seems to ask. Jesus responds by telling him to look at what is happening - "the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them."

This is incarnation, the Word made flesh -- God in our midst revealed in the actions of those who follow Christ. I started a new blog this week called How beautiful...", also known as "good news walking." I wanted a place to record all the good stories of what The Episcopal Church and other churches in the Anglican Communion are doing. The secular news is all about our dramas and Christians behaving badly. Every Tuesday I put up the news for Episcopal Cafe. As I scan the internet and look at news feeds I find wonderful deeds being done by our part of the Body of Christ. Children and youth and adults living their faith by feeding the hungry, lobbying for fair laws, seeking justice, visiting prisoners, raising funds for mosquito nets for those in areas of malaria. So I decided that I would put these on my new blog. The first article is about Bishop Jenkins of Louisiana. He has become a champion for the poorest of the poor suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His article this week is about the housing crisis and the lack of will to address these needs. Many in our diocese have gone to the Gulf Coast to rebuild homes. Others have given generously to Episcopal Relief and Development. These are the stories I want to highlight. There is enough bad news out there.

As I reflect on our lessons today and the wonderful song of Mary I see that all of them call us to look at the results of our faith. We can have a perfect belief system that we can preach on all day but if there is no action - it is an empty faith.

Isaiah tells of the signs of holiness on earth.

Mary says:

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.

Jesus reassures John as he points out the signs of good news.

James in his letter admonishes us:

Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Our example is Jesus and all those in every generation who have spoken up for the poor and the marginalized of society - the widows and orphans. Rather than grumble about what others are doing or not doing we are called to live out our faith in our daily relationships with one another. Acting for the good of all whenever we have the opportunity. Mostly it will be in small ways - but for some it will come as a great leap of faith.

Today I received this letter in my email - usually I delete them but I found this one spoke to our readings - especially James.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas (slightly edited for Episcopalians)

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many you are upset that folks are removing My name from the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year -- it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually the time of pagan festival. Of course, I do appreciate being remembered at any time.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, here's how: GET ALONG WITH EACH AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on... If it bothers you that the town where you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen in your own front yard and put out your own Nativity scene. If all of My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for a display in the town square because there would already be so many all around your community.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made ALL trees. You can remember Me any time you see ANY tree. Decorate a grapevine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten what I said, look up John 15: 1- 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wishlist.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President to complain about the wording on the White House cards this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then do it! It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. People in your town will attempt to take their own lives this season because they feel so alone and hopeless. Since you don't know who they are, give everyone you meet a warm smile -- it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit-picking about what retailers call this holiday, be patient with the people who work for them. Give each a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support organizations like Episcopal Relief and Development, who are working for better lives for refugees, prisoners, people suffering from diseases that are easily curable with a small amount of money, giving tools and resources so people can support their families.

9. There are individuals and families in your town who will not only have no "Christmas" tree, but also no presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, take some food and gifts to a charity who will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do or say things that you wouldn't do or say in My presence. Remember -- When you speak badly of my children, you are speaking badly of Me; when you treat each other badly, you do the same to Me. Let people know by your words and actions that you are one of Mine.

Don't get so worked up about what you think are slights about me that occur in the material world. I am God and I can take care of Myself. I am not diminished by those things.

Instead, simply love Me and do what I have asked you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love.

AMEN.

Ahhhh....

Now Christmas is on its way.

Bloggers help Christ the King Church in Brazil

Let's raise more $$ for City of God in Brazil. Details here.

CHRIST THE KING ANGLICAN CHURCH in the Cidade de Deus, is in one of the most impoverished and dangerous neighbourhoods in the world. The following is an English translation of what this church considers its mission to be in this challenging environment:

We intend to be a place where all are welcome to be free, especially in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) neighborhood, where poverty, violence and hunger are so well-known. And in order to live this Gospel of liberation and reconciliation of the entire world through Christ Jesus, we also seek to integrate the Church with society, through several social projects. Our mission is bold: to say that Christ is the King is to say that love has the last word in the midst of this world of calamities. However, we are sure that, with Him, we are victorious.