Sermon for the Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist, Capitola,

given by Rev. Stu Fitch, December 31, 2006

  The Episcopal Church of Saint John the Baptist welcomes all to worship God and to share

Christ's love in the world.  We are a parish family committed to provide liturgy, Bible study, music, counseling, and Christian education for children, youth, and adults, and to equip all our members for life and for service to other

Sermon

First Sunday After Christmas

Here we are  at the end of one year and tomorrow the beginning of a new one.  Traditionally and Spiritually  it is a time for reflection. What in this past year do we regret---some judgment made, some thoughtless thought or word, some act we wish we had not done, forgetting we are Children of God, a daughter or a son.  This introspection is not be be self judgment, which is futile,    I call this Theo-spectiton, looking in with God. To do this we need first to center in and in stillness know our Onenesss with God and know that God is present with in us whether we feel it or not.   Then as a Fair Witness see things as they  were, to own and embrace what we see,  then  offer them to God and let them go,  Then  start anew.   

This is also a time to look back on the creative times, times of joy, of connection, of victory.  Times we transended our self-centered  selves and were transformed into a beneficial presence to  someone , or to the world. And as we look ahead to the New Year, will those creative times continue to dominate our thoughts, words and deeds?  How will we make God present?

Attitude is a great factor in how our new year will be.  Will we be sending out negative vibes into the world concerning our personal and shared life and decisions?  Or  will they be positive vibes of faith and hope?   Not  to deny our reservations, but  to choose a creative attitude of expression., keeping an open mind.  Not having specific demands or expectations, but  open to the Abundent Expectancy of God¹s presence at work.

The words of Isaiah direct us.  In a time when all was not well for the Hebrew people, he proclaims hope and promise.   "How good it is to be giving praises to God---who mends our wounds, calls us by name, and has pleasure in all who have awe and await God¹s gracious favor."

We want our new year to be filled with God and God¹s healing, reconciling Love. A world functioning on a new paradigm of freedom, justice and good will.  Doing what we can to further the Millennium Goals to create a better world for all peoples. A world slim on selfish gains and abundent in  sharing the Grace of God.

The challenge to shape a better world can seem staggering and impossable. But with  God, all is possible. The miracle of Christmas is an example.  Not many dreamed that God  would choose to incarnate  in human flesh.  And yet, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" and in us.   Paul¹s letter to the Galatians reminds us of what has always been true. "God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts crying 'Abba, Father.'  We are children of God and heirs of his fullness." And so in filling in the blanks of our year 2007, we are reminded that each of us is an only begotten daughter or son, unique and yet part of the One. We are partners in God¹s unfolding plan, asked to make God present..

The challenge of each day is to shape the world as that one birth, one man, has shaped the course of human history  Granted, forgetting who we really are has created gross errors and injustices.  But when we remember our Divine Heritage, there are stunning victories of  the Spirit of Love .Jesus may hav e been born in Bethlehem,  but it is of no avail unless he is born in    our hearts. It is the Christ within who makes it possible for us to withstand the forces of pessimism, fear and dispair, and to be ministers of reconciliation and instruments of God¹s peace We hold the vision that what unites us is stronger than what dlvides us, a vision of the world that unites us in the nature of God¹s Love as lived out  by Jesus..

The Good News proclaims a future full of hope, inspiration and possibilities. It seems appropriate to me on this New Year's Eve day  to look in with God, whose Holy  Spirit reveals all things. To be shown our lives this year ending. and to inspire us how to respond to the mystery of the unknown  future. Take time today to ponder these things.

To begiin  this looking in with God,  let¹s take a centering in  time now as we are gathered together in an atmosphere of worship. To get  into that mood, it helps to sit quietly,  to still the mind , to let  eyes fall softly shut ,  hands folded gently in your lap.  Be open to the presence of God.   I will strike the bowl to begin and end this period of reflection.

 

Uncrowd our hearts O God, until silence speaks in your still small voice. Turn us from the hearing of words, and the making of words, and the confusion of much speaking to listening, waiting, stillness, silence.