St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
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Homily Highlights for January 31 – The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
We are accustomed to hearing our New Testament lesson from 1 Corinthians 13 read at weddings, and it is always a good choice for holding up the biblical model of love for newly married couples. Paul had such a strong view of the centrality of love that he places this message in the context of teaching the communities of faith how to be “The Body of Christ” in all their diversity of personalities and gifts (1 Corinthians 12). His message is that however gifted we may be, without love we are nothing and ultimately will not be able to accomplish anything for God.
LOVE IS A DECISION
To focus on the good of the other and the good of the whole community in a disciplined way in spite of what our feelings may be at any given moment is a decision and a way of life. Romance can be a good gift but it is not reliable for the long run because it is centered in our own ecstatic but changeable feelings and idealizing another person in a way that no one can live up to all the time. God’s love on the other hand is steady and faithful and loves us just as we are, strengthening our strengths and teaching us repentance, humility and wisdom through our weaknesses.
Mature love can find patience, kindness, perseverance, genuine celebration and creative channels of bringing the best out in each other. It takes a steady dependence on God, for love lives and grows in the power of God’s Spirit. True love is always seeking God’s will and so we offer at our Marriage Service a prayer that is at once a blessing and a perpetual challenge. “Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.” (BCP p. 429)
LOVE IS ETERNAL
What is our best and most enduring legacy in this life? What connects us to the eternal so that we can dare to dream of life with God forever? What is really living in this life in which we “see in a mirror dimly”? Our deepest hopes and dreams may be elusive but walking in God’s love together we can appreciate the journey and find that it is a gift. It is a journey from birth, made holy in Baptism, fed and nurtured by the bread of life, blessed in sharing in ministry, named as family in marriage, returned to its Creator in burial-eternal in God’s love. Divine love is the vision that faith perceives and the reason for hope to endure. And so “Faith, hope and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
Father Hagerman
Homily Highlights for January 24 – The Third Sunday after Epiphany
ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT
“For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body." 1 Corinthians 12:13
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me...to let the oppressed go free.” Luke 4:18
THE LIES OF “SURVIVOR”
In this tough world do we really think we survive by thinking of ourselves first and last: Hoarding resources against catastrophe, outwitting others to “vote them off the island”, using strength to oppress the weak, “winning” at any cost? The lessons of human history do not give favorable witness to these lies. The might of Rome was defeated by a cross and a Spirit that rose from that cross to tell us that different as we are, we must work together or die.
THE COOPERATIVE BODY
The Wisdom that God our Creator built into the design of our bodies is a truth that all organizations must learn to prosper, even those that would not acknowledge the author of that truth. “As it is there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you...If one member suffers, all suffer together with it, if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12:20-21, 26-27)
It is an ideal we know and experience to be true and we are blessed in those moments of Holy Communion, Holy Cooperation. Yet, we often fall short of that ideal and even contradict it in all institutions including the Church. In such times we are reminded of our deep need of a Savior.
THE CHRIST WHO FREES US
Jesus proclaims the keynote of his ministry in today’s Gospel: in God’s Spirit, bringing good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed in the year of the Lord’s favor. From this Gospel we have learned many ministries of healing and compassion. But have we learned that we are the poor who need the good news, we are the captives who need release, we are the blind who need recovery of sight and we are the oppressed who need freedom in Christ. Freedom to serve, freedom from fear that there will not be enough if we share, freedom to cooperate knowing that the gifts of others enrich us and do not diminish us for we “are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
The year of the Lord’s favor is the song of Amazing Grace that rings through every struggling year to bring imperfect people together as God’s beloved community, for the “joy of the Lord is our strength.”
Father Hagerman
Homily Highlights for January 17 – The Second Sunday after Epiphany
THE MIRACLES THAT SURROUND US
“Jesus did the first of his signs in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.’" John 2:11
THE WEDDING AT CANA
Our Gospel today calls to mind the Sacrament of Marriage in the Church. We begin a wedding service by proclaiming that “The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.” (BCP p. 423) The marriage and the celebration was blessed with new wine. Jesus teaches that there are seasons of celebration to be embraced in our lives but this new wine means much more. It is the first of his signs that reveal his glory for this is the meaning of the unfolding Epiphany Season: To reveal boldly.
NEW WINE, NEW LIFE
The new wine of the life of Christ will flow after the wedding reception is over into a new order of life for a world needing redemption, an order of life that is captured well in our prayers for the newly married couple in the wedding service:
“Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.
“Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair.
“Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others.” (BCP p. 429)
Mutually giving love that overflows in outreach to others. This is very good wine for all people of all generations.
THE MIRACLES THAT SURROUND US
We need not be discouraged or misled by the incredulous questions of a rational scientific age. How could Jesus really turn that water into wine? Having visited the great wineries in Napa Valley, California, I can testify that God does it quite regularly. However, God takes his time and lets us share in the creative work. This is the story of all ministry and all work that is offered in God’s service. This is the story of God’s generous gifts of creation entrusted to our care. This is the story of the miracles that surround us that can make each new day a new Epiphany. This is the story of the hand of Jesus pointing our dulled vision to the glory of God who is the generous giver of this precious gift of life.
Father Hagerman
Homily Highlights for January 10 – The First Sunday after Epiphany
THE BAPTISM OF JESUS AND OUR BAPTISM
“On hearing this they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them the Holy Spirit came upon them.” Acts 19:5-6
“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’" Luke 3:21-22
ORIGINAL MEANING
The public ministry of Jesus begins with his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. John is surprised and believes Jesus should be baptizing him, (Matthew 3:14) but this is a time of humble obedience for Jesus looking ahead to his bearing of the sins of the world in his suffering and death. We see the heavens “torn apart” and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Jesus. The voice of God the Father is heard from heaven declaring, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Perhaps in this picture from the Gospel, we can understand better why we begin our service with the acclamation. “Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit” and why we baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The fullness of God is present at this critical moment of the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Mark’s Gospel does not even give us an account of the birth of Jesus but begins his Gospel here with the Baptism of Jesus.
EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY
The feast of the Baptism of Jesus is a Sunday when we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism whenever it is possible. Ant it is always a day when we are led to recall our own Baptism and our Baptismal Covenant, for here is a statement of the faith in an historic creed that has reflected core Christian beliefs in a Trinitarian God for centuries. In fact, we call the first part of the Baptismal Covenant, the Apostles Creed, because we trace it all the way back to the Apostles. The five promises that follow give us a wise and balanced guide for living the Christian life: continuing in Christian Education, prayer and the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and resisting evil, always returning to the Lord. It is a faith that is always reaching out, “Proclaiming by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.” (our parish mission statement) It is grounded in love with a concern for justice, peace, and God-given dignity for every human being. Here is the statement of beliefs and ethics that bind us together as a faith community. It transcends all the divisions of our times and all the labels that would demean or dehumanize. It is a guide for every generation of this parish family and the foundation of our Confirmation program. So it is fitting on this day that we renew our Baptismal Covenant together. (p. 292 Book of Common Prayer)
Father Hagerman
Homily Highlights for January 3 – Epiphany Sunday
A GOD FOR ALL PEOPLE-2016
“The Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.”
Ephesians 3:6
FOLLOWING A STAR
Do wise men or mad men follow stars on a long journey toward hope, bringing gifts to a new baby? Why should King Herod and “all Jerusalem with him” be frightened of this? Is this star the sign of a profound and frightening change? Does the heart of God shatter boundaries that were a source of security and comfort? All of these questions converge on Epiphany, a curious word which means to reveal boldly. In a time of many gods in many lands, the gods might be pet deities that kings would seek to manipulate for their own power and purposes. A God for all people reigning through an infant King of Kings, who calls shepherds from the fields and wise men from distant lands to a humble stable, is a power that shakes past, present and future. Herod assaults it and we would seek to tame it in a holiday season. Epiphany shatters boundaries and there are few things so threatening in any age.
THE DEEP RELATEDNESS OF LIFE
It has been a good service of modern science to remind us how deeply connected all of organic life is. For if we learn how much in common a tree and a human being have at the elemental level, how absurd all racism becomes. How deeply challenged are our casual habits that damage the fabric of life. Why we could follow a star is less of a mystery when we realize we are made of the same elements. We are stardust contemplating the stars. Epiphany reveals the heart of our God in creation and redemption: A redemption that is meant to be universal and is symbolized by the three wise men from a distant land journeying to worship the new born Christ in fellowship with poor shepherds. They probably couldn’t speak the same language but the spiritual language of the heart and soul spoken by angels and stars brings them together. The worship of one God was a great gift the religion of Israel brought to the world and now as Paul observed, “The Gentiles have become fellow heirs.”
EPIPHANY IN A PLURALISTIC AGE
Can we respect diversity in our times without surrendering our convictions and genuine faith commitments? It is because I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and because he taught and modeled a deeply inclusive love that I believe we can and we must. Appropriate respect for people of other faith traditions in a time when religious violence is still too common is only one of our challenges. The drifting values of secularism and the stressful demands of modern life can pull many people away from a relationship with God. Yet we are called to stay in a relationship of respectful love with God and people, persevering in our own faith and patiently and creatively finding ways to be instruments of the God who calls through stars and angels and all things in life, to God’s people to be in a living relationship so that we may truly live. From the precious elements come the gifts of the wise men: Gold – for the King of Kings, Frankincense - that the air may be filled with God’s worship, and Myrrh - for anointing in life and death, anointing all life for God its creator.
Father Hagerman
Homily Highlights for December 27 – The First Sunday after Christmas
THE CHILDREN NAMED IGNORANCE AND WANT
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5
The Christmas story is told in many ways: the angelic visitors to Mary and the shepherds in Luke’s Gospel, the visit of the Wisemen and the violent jealousy of King Herod in Matthew’s Gospel. Today in John’s Gospel we see images of light and darkness, good overcoming evil, enlightenment overcoming ignorance. These themes point us to another telling of the Christmas Story - A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens. A story we have given special attention to this year. We think of Christmas as a special time for children and so it is. Dickens offers us a powerful experience of encountering children at Christmas.
THE CHILDREN UNDER THE ROBE OF THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Passage highlight: “This boy is ignorance. This girl is want. Beware of them both, and all of their degree… ‘They are Man’s,’ said the Spirit, looking down upon them.”
“THEY SHALL NOT BEAR CHILDREN FOR CALAMITY” (Isaiah 65:22)
After this chilling experience, Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Future and is afraid: “I fear you more than any specter I have seen.” Why the fear? Certainly we all know that we are mortal. We may have a great many responses to that but it doesn’t require an extraordinary spiritual visitor to reveal that. What future should be feared? ANY future that is not God’s future.
Scripture articulates in many places the vision and values of God’s Kingdom which are intended to be embraced here and now. “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” There is a special care for children and their future. “They shall not bear children for calamity” writes the prophet Isaiah in his vision of the Kingdom of God fulfilled. The children of ignorance and want shall be educated and fed. To participate in that now by supporting programs that address the needs of children for education, health care and a proper standard of living is to participate in God’s hopeful future.
REDEMPTION
What terrified Scrooge was not his mortality but the fear that he was BEYOND ALL HOPE of passing from the light to the darkness in this life or the next. “Assure me that I may yet change these shadows with an altered life.” The response comes with a new Christmas morning—a gift of new beginnings and a changed life that touches other lives and brings help and hope for children.