St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
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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.
“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.” The Christmas Gospel to keep with us all through the year.
Father Hagerman
Homily Highlights for December 25 – Christmas
STORIES AND SONGS THAT BRING US HOME
KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES
Psalm: “Sing to the Lord a new song” Psalm 96:1
Old Testament: “He is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:9
The Gospel: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’” Luke 1:14
THE HOMELESS BABY WHO BRINGS US HOME
Each year we come to God’s cradle carrying so many stories in our hearts...the ones we tell and the ones we live. Whatever they may be, lay them before him, for this is the night of Emmanuel—God is with us. The divine enters the human to heal that which is broken or separated, and to plant a song of rejoicing for all that can yet be. Glory to God in the highest! Rejoice! Although there was no room at the inn. Rejoice! At the place where God was homeless so that we might come back to our truest home—Emmanuel. God’s heart has touched our own. God’s peace embraces our tired, troubled earth as the cry of a new baby announces that new life has entered the world and “the people who walked in the darkness have seen a great light”, a light that is leading us home. And whatever burdens may be in the stories you carry to God’s Christmas cradle, you are bringing them home. Your truest home is in the heart of Emmanuel, where you are first, last, and always—a child of God. In this, is God’s gift of peace.
OUR STORIES AND DREAMS SHAPE OUR VALUES AND LIFE