The Rev. Virginia W. Nagel
Ephphatha Parish of the Deaf
Episcopal Diocese of Central NY
How often have we become upset and exasperated with someone who just can't seem to understand what is so simple and clear to us? There are so many examples in our own lives and in the daily news. It's clear to us that the kids should not play in the street, because it's so dangerous. But all they can see is that the pavement is a perfect place for their skateboards and
roller-skates and street hockey games. We can tell them over and over, and they just don't see...or don't want to see...that we're not trying to spoil their fun but just keep them alive. And then there's things like the global warming uproar. Other countries just couldn't understand why the United States wouldn't sign the treaty to slow down the global warming process. But, of course, it would mean a huge change in American lifestyle, manufacturing and economy. Still, we looked so dumb and uncaring to the rest of the world. You can think of dozens of other examples.
This kind of situation helps us understand why the prophets in the Old Testament use such forceful language in discussing things that seem to us to be, perhaps, not all that important. We don't bother to go to worship? Well, we're tired. To us, it doesn't mean any less belief, or any weaker belief, in God, but to the prophets, missing worship was practically a capital crime. The small injustices of our lives such as ignoring the homeless or the poor or the elderly who are alone, really are not, in our way of thinking, terrible things to do. It's just the way the world is....but the prophets emphatically and passionately remind us that the poor, the helpless, and the victims of injustice or
uncaringness are dear to God's heart and we have a responsibility to see that they get justice and care. And so the prophets give us a royal scolding for these things that maybe we never thought were important enough to pay attention to, before.
And so we have today's reading from Isaiah, which is God's response to all this. God points out that although he does not want to break the bruised reed or put impossible burdens on his beloved people, still...justice and peace and harmony are very important to him. He wants his kingdom to be a kingdom of peace and restfulness, but he does not want that to happen by ignoring the needs of the poor and needy. In fact, he has specifically enlightened our minds (and the prophets') so that we will be aware of those needs and of our duty to do something about it. He wants us to live in peace and harmony, but he is not going to let that happen at the expense of someone who will be hurt by others' idea of what peace means, such as "go away and don't bother me!" No, his idea of peace is everyone looking out for everyone else, and helping them to fill their needs, so that everyone will be equally at peace. And all this is tied in with the concept of epiphany, showing forth to us what God wants us to do and how he wants us to live...and the concept of light, that light from the Epiphany star, that enlightens our minds and helps us understand what God has in HIS mind.
Tucked away in a quiet little sentence at the end of the reading from Isaiah is a very important point: God says clearly that he will not give his glory to anyone else. If, as we find out in the Gospel about Jesus' baptism, God actually shares his glory with someone, and that someone is Jesus, then it becomes another Epiphany: a revelation that if God allows Jesus to share in his own glory, then Jesus must be God, too, God the Son. What could be clearer?
The reading from Acts is also something of a shock to many people. What it boils down to is another Epiphany, another revelation. God, as shown forth in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, is not your or my private God. Our religion cannot be our own private comfort and pride. Christ is for all people, every nation, every race, every IQ level, every social group. He is not our own private pet. And in putting on Christ in Baptism, we are expected to understand that we are putting on the responsibility of bringing all people to God through Jesus. We are accepting the responsibility of working for the real good of everyone, as defined by God through what he told the prophets, and what they passed on to us: justice, care for others' needs, love of everyone, no matter who, no matter what color or income level or which school they went to or what job they have. We are just as responsible for the homeless person in the camp under the bridge as we are for our own beloved spouse or child. And this makes it clear, also (another epiphany!) that our prayers cannot be selfish little "gimme's." Our prayers have to be for the good and well-being and justice of everyone, not just for the things we ourselves want.
All of this is wrapped up in the earthshaking event that happened at Jesus' Baptism. Jesus is God. He has no sin and therefore does not need to be baptized for the forgiveness or cleansing of his sin. You could almost say that all the sins that got washed away by the many baptisms of people in the Jordan, attached themselves to Jesus at his Baptism. Jesus insisted on being baptized to show that he was taking upon himself the responsibility and the punishment for the sin of everyone, past, present and future, who has accepted the revelation that this Jesus is God the Son, and shares the glory of the Father. He was baptized not for himself but for us, so that he could accept the punishment that belongs to us for our sin, and make us free of sin so we can enter heaven as members of God the Son. And the whole overwhelming meaning of Jesus' Baptism was confirmed by God the Father in that voice from heaven: This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
And so, today, we renew the vows that make us part of his body here on earth, our own Baptismal vows. In doing so, we accept not only the responsibility to live in the spirit and example of Jesus Christ, but to do what he did: work for justice and real peace, care for others even more than we care for ourselves, and love God above all other loves in our life. And if we keep our vows, someday we may hear, or feel, deep in our hearts, the knowledge that we are God's beloved children, and he is well pleased with us. Amen.
