Readings for Epiphany 1/C:
Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
January 10, 2010
The Rev. Karen Faye Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA
“When Jesus 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]
Seventeen years ago, having just been ordained a priest, I took an interim position in Livermore, CA. The rector had gone on sabbatical, leaving me to counsel and perform the marriage of a young couple in just five weeks. Had it been entirely up to me, I would have never officiated at the marriage. But the plans had been made, the reception hall paid for, and the couple insisted that they would be faithful to the marriage covenant. The ceremony was conducted according to the Book of Common Prayer. There were no objections from the congregation. The vows were made, the rings exchanged, the blessing given, and by the end of the service these two struggling young people were legally married. What were absent from the event however were the joy, the excitement, and the realization of the sacramental bond of union between husband and wife. What was missing was the reception of the Holy Spirit. Today I would like to talk about the sacrament of baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit. I will use our two biblical readings as my texts.
Today is the first Sunday after the Epiphany. Epiphany is a churchy term, which points to the manifestation of God in the world. Last week we read about the epiphany of the Christ child to the three magi from the east. On Christmas Eve, we read about the epiphany of the newborn child to the shepherds in the field. Today, we read about the epiphany of Jesus as God’s son at his baptism in the Jordan River. These are just three examples of epiphanies. But epiphanies are not limited to the biblical texts. God is always manifesting God’s self in the world.
Our world is full of epiphanies, miracles, good news, and the presence of God. The Light has come into the world and from this fullness, we have received grace upon grace. Unfortunately, we often miss these daily epiphanies. And when we miss out on these epiphanies, God becomes some distant idea that needs to be rationally explained rather than an exciting relationship that enables us to become wise, good, just, and happy through lifelong personal involvement in knowing and loving God. For many practitioners of Christianity, the Holy Spirit seems to be missing in their religious journey and deliberations. As a result, their spiritual life ends up looking like the married life of that young struggling couple who were officially married yet lacked the emotional and spiritual benefits.
I believe that one of the reasons why this world is in such turmoil (some 2000 years after the birth of Christ) is that we have not been fully receptive to the power of the Holy Spirit. In fact, many of us do not even understand the Holy Spirit. For most rational Westerners, talk about the Spirit of God makes little sense because it is a power than cannot be controlled or scientifically analyzed. The Church even has some hesitation when it comes to the Holy Spirit. If you look at the wording of the Creeds, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is underdeveloped. The Creeds spend the majority of time talking about Jesus and the Word made flesh but there is only one sentence about the Holy Spirit: “The Lord and Giver of Life.” Well if the Holy Spirit is the giver of life then we need to pay more attention to this Spirit. This is the same Spirit that Jesus received at his baptism. It is the Spirit of God that makes us all part of the Holy Family. Let’s take a closer look.
Jesus’ baptism is recorded in the three synoptic gospels (Mt., Mk., Lk.) and is alluded to in John’s gospel. His baptism has been problematic for many Christians. After all, if Jesus is divine, why did he need to be baptized? And if the doctrine of the Trinity is correct, why would he need to receive the Holy Spirit at baptism? These are questions that have never been satisfactorily answered in my opinion. But just because I have difficulty harmonizing the doctrine of the Trinity with Scripture, that doesn’t mean that it becomes a show-stopper for me.
In fact, today’s gospel is an inspiration for me. If Jesus received and was empowered by the Holy Spirit while in prayer, that can also happen to me. For me, receiving the Holy Spirit is not just a one-time event but an ongoing, authentic, intimate relationship with God that empowers me and sustains me with hope even in the darkest of hours. What stands out in Luke’s account of the baptism, is that Jesus did receive the Holy Spirit in a very concrete way while he was in prayer. Being dunked in the waters of baptism was a nice beginning as it is for all of us who have made a commitment to the baptismal covenant. But it wasn’t until Jesus was in deep prayer and had a posture of openness that he received the full benefits of the Spirit and was truly affirmed by God. The same thing happened to the people in Samaria according to the Book of Acts. Philip preached the word of God to the Samaritans and then baptized those who were ready to make the commitment. But it wasn’t until Peter and John visited Samaria later on and prayed for them and laid hands on them, that they received the Holy Spirit. There is something about prayer and an atmosphere of receptivity that breaks down barriers and allows the real gift of God in baptism (i.e. the Holy Spirit) to come upon us.
Pope Paul once said that The Holy Spirit is the greatest need in the Church today. I agree. While Jesus’ message would probably never have survived without the Church focusing its attention on this message, this message has been dangerously compromised because the Holy Spirit has been sidelined in the practice of our faith. Many horrible acts have been committed throughout human history in the name of Christ but none of these horrible acts have been motivated by the Holy Spirit. How do we know when the Holy Spirit is at the center of our deliberations and actions? When know by its fruit: Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
I have been told that I preach a lot about transformation but have not strategically led this parish through the process. This may be true. But there is something you should know. Neither you nor I can transform ourselves. Only the grace of the Holy Spirit can accomplish that. And while we cannot control this Spirit, nor force its visitation on us, we can break down barriers and create an atmosphere of reception. We create an atmosphere of reception by practicing the spiritual disciplines. Prayer is one of those disciplines and it was this spiritual discipline of prayer that enabled Jesus and the people of Samaria to receive the Holy Spirit. What disciplines do you think will help you become more receptive to the Holy Spirit? Is it studying the Scriptures? Meditation? Fasting? Acts of Service? Confession? Worship? A Simple lifestyle? Guidance? Submission? Celebration?
In so far as I encourage you, provide opportunities, and prioritize the practice of these spiritual disciplines in our common life together, I am leading you on a journey of transformation. If on the other hand I fail to prioritize the spiritual disciplines or you resist practicing these spiritual disciplines, then the possibility of transformation remains only a vision.
I want to close with a story about Bob Williamson of Florida who failed at everything when he was young, but just sold his software company for $75million at the age of 62. Here is an excerpt: “In 1970, when I was 24, I hitchhiked to Atlanta and ended up on Lukie Street. I was anything but lucky at the time. I was a drug addict and was wanted by police. Everything I owned was in a pillowcase. I had decided I was going to either straighten up or commit suicide. I sold a pint of blood for $7 and got a room for the night at the Lukie St. YMCA. The next day, I landed a job cleaning bricks, then moved into a boardinghouse and slowly started making my way back. But luck wasn’t on my side yet. I got into a head-on collision in a borrowed car and was hurt so badly, I was in the hospital for 3 months. While I was there, I took to reading the Bible. I picked it up out of boredom and really thought I would disapprove of it. But…I read every word of it. And at that moment I started to feel a gentle, steady pull of encouragement. Even though I had the morals of a junkyard dog, I felt forgiven and loved. I now have been married for 38 years and have become a pillar of the community…If there’s a lesson I learned from this, it’s that God seems to show his strength and power through weakness.”
For Bob Williams, it was the spiritual disciplines of study and submission that broke down his barrier of resistance and created an opportunity for the reception of the Holy Spirit. In a few minutes, we are going to renew our baptismal covenant together. During the silence following this sermon, I would like you to practice the discipline of absolute silence. No rattling the bulletin, no opening up the prayer book, no coughing, no looking at the next hymn. Simply sit quietly, ask to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit and then be open to that gentle, steady pull of encouragement, forgiveness, and love.
| Updated January 15, 2010 |
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