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

given by Rev. Stu Fitch/January 6, 2008

  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

  Today is The Epiphany, the traditional  celebration of the three wise men coming to the side of Jesus, be he a babe in the manger or a two year old in a house, as Matthew suggests. This  is Matthew's account, be it fact or parable, which reveals the Truth that the Christ has been made manifest to the peoples of the earth.  This song sung by the children at a Cabrillo Choir concert touched me and seems to fit here:

"Some children see  Him lily white.The baby Jesus born this night. 

Some children see him lily white, with tresses soft and fair

Some children see Him bronzed and brown, The Lord of Heaven to earth come down:

Some children see him bronzed and brown, with dark and heavy hair.

Some children see Him almond eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside;

Some children see Him almond eyed, with skin of honey hue.

Some children see him dark as they, Sweet Mary¹s son to whom we pray;

Some children see Him dark as they, and ah! they love Him too

Some  children in each different place Will see the baby Jesus' face Like theirs,

but bright with heavenly grace, and filled with holy light.

O lay aside each earthly thing, And with thy heart as offerng,

Come worship now the Infant King, That's love that¹s born tonight!"

  . 

   The three kings represent us all, be we caucasian, Asian or negroid,  for in the One  we are one and of  the same creative  origin.  We see the Christ in our many faces. The gifts of  the Magi gold, frankincense and myrrh, represent the only gifts we have to offer--our talents, treasure and strengths, our worship and prayers and our sin, sorrow and death. All that we are and all that we have.  All that we carry  in our hearts.   

  The word epiphany is defined as to make manifest, to make an appearance:  a moment of sudden intuition, understanding, a flash of insight.  We can readily see how this day got its¹ name, Epiphany. The wise of the world in a flash of intuition, see the Christ, even in a baby or a little boy. or a person of any color. This is a deep knowing beyond physical appearances. Matthew¹s parable shows an understanding  of the very gift God gives us in Jesus, who is the bridge between God and humankind. Through Jesus God  extends the Christ nature to all:  The nature for us to seek and serve  in all persons.   But how often we miss seeing God¹s presence, but when we do see the Christ in others  or experience the Christ within ourselves, it  is an epiphany moment of recognition.

   When we are wise we also follow the Star, the light:within that Jesus told us to be--a  light on a lampstand  shlning on the world   We are to be the Star, leading others to the Christ,. .As Jesus manifested and made known the nature of God, we are called to manifest to the world that nature---by  loving, accepting, forgiving, including as Jesus life models  for us.  This takes work and awareness,  as its seems that violence, revenge  hatred and fear  are somehow inborn, not only in ³them² but in us too!!!  We must be vigilent in observing our thoughts, words and actions and asking "s this really what I want to be thinking? Is this reallly what I want to be  doing?  Is this really what I want to be saying? Is it loving, is it uniting?" We need to become aware of anything that  blocks  our light to others. Open to make Jesus a real presence and companion  in your life. We become like the company we keep.  Live in the wonder Bishop Mary calls  to behold  as we make our journey  forward together in the mystery of the unfolding path with heart.  Come to know the meaning of incarnation , God in human flesh: in Jesus, in you, in me and in "them."  

 

  St. Paul had a dramatic epiphany experience on the road to Damascus and it turned him around from persecuting the Christians  and even later, to champion the inclusion of the Gentiles into the community of the faithful.  His  stand was hotly disputed at the time, thought to go against God¹s word, and created rifts in the fellowship, but  here we are!  Church history is always in the making.  Struggles, disputes and changes have always been part of our history.      

 

  Yet epiphany moments opened the way for the ordination and consecration of women, a new prayer book, and the consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson. I truly feel our Church if moving forward in  positive ways as a front runner, a ground breaker, a growing edge, moving us further  into the inclusive nature of Jesus, who invited all to the table and who loves us all, just as we are.  I was heartened by Bishop Mary¹s letter printed in the January Forerunner. We are moving forward and  although it may seem too slow, we are asked to be patient as the process unfolds.

  Those unable to adjust  to these new ways and views are leaving. That has always been true  Even in Jesus time he sadly let the rich young ruler walk away. In our present  history  it is still sad to see Brothers and Sisters in Christ leave as it  breaks our Oneness and is a loss to  all.  We need diverse  points of view.  We are One, called to live with and benefit from our differences with respect and nonjudgment. To share facts and not opinions.  Not of make the "other,"  "the enemy!!"  When we look with a little depth, differences vanish and the underlying unity becomes apparent. If we look upon one another  with this spiritual vision, only unity remains.  .

  We can all get aware of our  personal epiphany moments---some great, some small, but always having an impact on our lives.  Steve shared several with us a few weeks ago---the night  he was carrying a  newborn crying Elizaberth , and his looking out at all of us at the wedding he shared with Robin.   One  epiphany moment for me was as a young boy looking up at my invalid mother and thinking "She has feelings just like I do."  When I am aware I look at everyone that way--"They have feelings just like I do." Another moment was when Susie was a little girl and we were walking down Myrtle Ave in Monrovia at Christmas time.  I had a flash  and overwhelming feeling of our oneness and love.  Still another, knowing ahead of time that Nan was the one!!  I urge you to get aware of your epiphany moments, intuitive knowing, or  flashes of insight,.  Times you¹ve experienced love  or oneness or empathy.  New insights which in some way have changed your life.

  We¹ll take some quiet time now  to ponder on where our hearts lead us-- to epiphany moments----- to the mystery of wonder-----or to  the call  to companion Jesus in  manifesting the Christ Spirit to the world.