January 12, 2014
R. L. Christensen
Sisters and brothers:
Thirty years after the Blessed St. Matthew announces the miracle and
mystery of the birth of Jesus, he brings us to the bank of the Jordon River.
John the Baptist is there preaching and baptizing “with water for
repentance.” Great crowds come to him.
Jesus very intentionally makes the 90 mile trip from the north. He
didn’t just happen to be in the neighborhood.
Jesus joins the others. Waiting his turn for the cleansing water that
John uses.
When Jesus comes face to face with John there is pause. John knows
that Jesus who is without sin doesn’t fit the criteria for the cleansing water.
John objects to Jesus’ intention to be washed along with the sinners who
needed to be there.
Jesus trumps John’s objection. Jesus says this washing is necessary to
fulfill God’s righteousness.
“God’s righteousness.” The phrase “God’s righteousness” is code. It
means God’s way of being God. Jesus intends to reflect God’s way at the
Jordon.
John relents. Entering the same water that had washed away the sin of
the other folks Jesus is baptized. And before you can begin wondering about
it all the Spirit of God descends on Jesus and a voice from heaven tells the
truth about Jesus: “This is my Beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus has fully reflected the righteousness of God. God says so.
When everything got quiet the wondering begins. What on earth is
God doing in this moment to reflect the fullness and nature of God? And
why is God so happy about it?
The enacted Word is that God has chosen be with people. Where they
are. As they are. To keep company with the people. Those at the Jordon
and all the rest of the human family.
God is with us and isn’t going to go away anytime soon. That is the
way God chooses to be God. And God is delighted that Jesus shows this
choice of God to those at the Jordon and to the rest of us. God with us.
While we are here the reality of God with us is self-evident. The
Word of God is spoken. We get to listen. God treats us to dinner. We get
to eat and drink. The Bread and Wine become God’s own self given into
our bodies and our whole lives.
God brings us into relationship with other human beings so we are not
lacking companionship. The care we have for one another is expressed as
the “peace” is shared, and continues with the conversations that happen over
coffee. We share one another’s joys and sorrows.
“Goodbye” is a contraction of old English. It means “God be with
ye.” The “goodbyes” we exchange express the hope that God will be with
us as our journey takes another turn. We are cheerleaders encouraging one
another on the way.
The reality of God with us may be less self-evident when we are away
from the building, but with the eyes of faith God’s presence becomes
palpable. God with us in all times and circumstances.
Do you use the table grace, “Come, Lord Jesus be our guest?” God
with us when we eat. Do you pray at the end of the day, “Now I lay me
down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep?” God with us through the
night. Does your early morning shower become an occasion for thanking
God for warm, clean water that renews and refreshes for another day? God
with us in cleansing, renewing water.
When you travel to work are you aware of God empowering so many
to drive safely? Obeying laws that make travel safer. Arriving at work do
you see the partners God has given you – each in their way contributing to
the oft stated wish, “Have a good day.” When you return home does the
shelter God has provided speak of God’s commitment to care for you?
God with us. God immersing God’s whole self in our lives as Jesus
was immersed in the waters of the Jordon. All done because God’s
righteousness – God being God in the way that God chose – dramatized at
the Jordon - continues among us.
It is wonderful to luxuriate in God’s presence with us. All sorts of
warm and wonderful feelings. And good for God and good for us.
Of course the luxury of God with us isn’t to remain a private
possession which can be enjoyed, but not shared. We are called to become
the righteousness of God in the world. Being with people. In all times and
in all circumstances becoming a sign that God is with them, too.
When I got to the office Wednesday morning I went to the fridge to
store some food. On the lower shelf was a bag marked “Aurora Commons.”
It was food for the ministry to prostitutes who are trying to escape the
horrors of life on the streets. That food and the parish involvement are
witnesses to those women that God is with them. Jesus smiles from ear to
ear. It was among his ministries to care for those daughters of God – our
sisters.
“Tower Echoes” included a report on the Christmas food and gift
baskets. 547 people got food. Children got gifts. And every person touched
by that ministry lived through the holidays knowing that God was with
them. Not in some mystical way, but in the blessing of food for bodies and
gifts to delight the hearts of little ones.
God is with us. And the miracle continues.
Some of my family prayed with us at the 5:00 p.m. Christmas
Eucharist. Then, we went out to dinner.
After dinner they went home and I headed back to Church. On the
way it occurred to me that I left my keys on the desk in the office. “Yes,
Virginia, he does need a keeper.” But, no worries. Someone would be
around and I might even be able to escape admitting my stupidity.
Fat chance! No one was around. And the building was locked as
tight as the kettle drums used in worship that evening.
For a while I sat in my car with the heater and radio going. But, that
didn’t work out all that well, so I decided to look and see if any business was
open that would welcome a stranger – stranger in more ways than one.
The only place open was a bar down the street. I went in. There were
some nervous glances. They may have thought I had come to harangue
them for drinking “demon rum” on the eve of the Birth of the Child. Little
did they know I would have joined them in a glass of “demon rum” if I
didn’t have to work and drive later.
I sat on a bar stool and the kindest lady asked what I would like.
Coffee wasn’t available, so I settled for a Coke. When I tried to pay for it
she said it was on the house.
We talked a little. I expressed appreciation and surprise that the place
was open so late. She said she was closing down in a few minutes, but I was
welcome to stay and finish my less than “demon rum.”
I did finish the Coke, wished her a blessed Christmas, and told her
that when the place was buttoned up she and the other customers could walk
up the street and join us for the ll:00 p.m. Eucharist. I promised that we
would serve her at that hour. She didn’t have to work or do dishes
afterward.
In all of that I knew that God was there – as certainly as God would be
with us later in the evening. God sharing life as it us. Not queasy. Not
worried about the company God was keeping. Not anything but present with
each of us in the bar.
God with us. In all the times and circumstances of our lives. Willing
to be with us when we are brilliant and faithful. Willing to be with us from
we are dumber than posts and going out of our way to make a mess of life
and relationships. Willing to be with us because that is the righteousness of
God. God being God the way God chose at the Jordon and God chooses in
all of the other places where God’s children are.
Live into this New Year and the rest of your lives with the deep
assurance that God is with us.
May it please God that the Gospel be in our heads, on our lips, and in
our hearts. Amen.