John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Collect: Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen
Homily: Well, I have to ask. How many watched NBC's new series "The Book of Daniel"? I have to tell you that the apples of drugs, alcohol, infidelity, sexuality, and Alzheimer's disease are all part of the extended life of my family tree. So there was nothing new, devastating, or shocking there for me. Even Gene Robinson got a plug! And somehow in this series the Episcopal Church is right in the middle of the Conversation - and for me, that is good news. Somebody needs to be!
I am most curious and naturally drawn to the priest's character, Fr. Daniel Webster. For those who didn't see the show, Daniel is an Episcopal priest who is the focal point of a series of dysfunctional relationships he shares with family, parish members, and acquaintances. And he alone has the benefit of both personal and visible conversations with a real live Jesus. Beckoned or not Jesus appears when Daniel needs help and understanding in dealing with the complexities of his life. Jesus is the non-anxious presence who is not caught by surprise by the wild escapades and rude exchanges but rather trusts the life process to smooth out the rough places, holds open a space for lessons to be learned, and keeps showing up in the midst of human flaws.
What is of concern to Jesus is that he has so few people to talk to. At one point Daniel asks Jesus if he has ever talked to his father, a crusty old Bishop whose injuries and disappointments have left him wounded. Jesus answers, "I used to." There is sadness in his voice implying that Jesus was not the one who terminated the Conversation.
I would be curious to know why the Episcopal Church was chosen as the backdrop vs. the option of other denominations.
I would like to think it is because we are open enough to acknowledge and welcome into the Church those who need Christ's redeeming love the most.the likes of you and me. It's interesting. The Episcopal Church couldn't afford to buy this kind of publicity. The Diocese of Washington DC has set up a blog - or internet text conversation - concerning the show. People from all over the country are logging onto the Diocesan web page to view and share their insights or disgust with the episodes as they unfold over the upcoming season. The website also offers an opportunity for links to information about the Episcopal Church. It reads,
"To find out more about actual Episcopalians, watch this film produced by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, visit our Web site, or drop in to the Visitor's Center of the Episcopal Church. We invite you to join us online for prayer and meditation at our Spirituality site."
Their "Diocesan Evangelism Ministry Team" was obviously paying attention to an opportunity for ministry and acted on it! They have chosen, as a diocese, to be part of-- rather than deaf to-- the Conversation.
That brings me to today's Gospel lesson. The Incarnation of God in Jesus is the ultimate evidence that God is in the Conversation, beckoned or not. In today's story, we are celebrating the Baptism of Jesus, that defining moment where his life took on the infusing power of the Holy Spirit for ministry.
The topic of Baptism is huge. In teaching the Catechumenate class I spend one third of our classes together on this lone topic because I think it warrants the time.
Baptism is about God's initiative and our response, it's about spiritual formation, it's about washing, cleansing, forgiveness and being given a name, it's about dying and being reborn to new life, it's about anointing, being filled with the Holy Spirit and being claimed as Christ's own forever, it's about being set on fire as the Light of Christ, it's about community, and it's about ministry. It's the topic of ministry that I want to focus on today. Perhaps the meaning of true ministry is best explored through story:
[There was once] an old hermit, the monk Timon, a friend of [Father] Seraphim's youth. [They] had not seen one another for twenty years. Timon waited all day long in the crowd. When evening fell and Seraphim welcomed him to his cell, the old hermit wept and seeing his friend again, "O Father," he cried, "why wouldn't you let me come to you? Are you holding anything against me?" Father Seraphim lovingly reassured him: "You've seen all those sick and handicapped people? They must be cared for first, because it is the sick, is it not, who need a physician? Now the time is my own, I am yours, and we can chat at leisure." And they spent the night talking.
When it was time for them to part, Father Seraphim said to his friend: "Sow, Father Timon, sow the corn you are given, sow it everywhere and whenever you can. Sow it in the good soil, sow it in the sand, sow it on the rock, by the wayside and among the thorns. There is always hope that a seed may germinate and grow and bear fruit even if it is only after some time. Do not bury the talent you are given." (Written by Valentin Zander, Baptism, published by Liturgy Training Publications, pg. 206)
It's a New Year. It's a new time for Trinity Cathedral as we prepare to receive a new dean. It's a chance to take inventory of the talents we have been given and to scatter those talents with abandon, wastefully, lavishly, with senseless disregard for the outcome.
This past Advent teams of parishioners participated in the Conversation by boldly going door-to-door in the community immediately surrounding the Cathedral leaving fliers to invite people to come to Christmas Eve services. I am pleased to tell you that all Episcopalians involved in this evangelistic effort survived. No one succumbed to cardiac arrest or physical attack.
What is God calling you and me to do this year that will alleviate human suffering and bring people to knowledge of the Gospel as revealed in Jesus Christ? The easiest way to make a difference is with the wisdom and support of others. Inside each pew rack is a white index card. Today I would like to invite you to take one, write your name across the top, and write the words "ministry team" across the front and place it in the offering plate. Let us know that you would like to become actively engaged in the ministry of the church. We will take the cards and follow up with you, helping you to find a ministry that matches your talents, interest, and vocation to which you have been called. It's not that hard, especially when you find your niche and can live it out with the support and wisdom of others. The opportunities include children and family ministries, youth and young adult ministries, music and worship, pastoral care and healing, outreach to the neighborhood, community and the world, Habitat for Humanity, evangelism, community partnerships, interfaith dialogue, advertising and communication, office and bookshop volunteers, stewardship and financial planning, physical plant maintenance, hospitality, mutual ministry with St. Paul's, being the Cathedral in this deanery and diocese, spiritual formation, adult education and long range planning to name just a few. The questions we must be asking as a Cathedral are, "Why us, why here in the mid-town, why now?"
Baptism calls us to ministry. In baptism we promise to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, and to strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.
What does our "yes" mean in 2006? Where can you and I scatter our talents with abandon, wastefully, lavishly, with senseless disregard for the outcome? Where are we called to be part of the Conversation?
Let us pray. Ever living God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.