Later in January 2020 the Bishop of Pennsylvania will come and spend time with us at the Church of the Redeemer. Under his liturgical leadership we, as a congregation, will renew our pledge to uphold our Baptismal Covenant. A covenant that we made at our baptism or was made on our behalf by our parents and godparents or even baptismal sponsors as we were baptized, carries with it tremendous import. This covenant commits us to follow God in a particular manner. A way that is fraught with danger and uncertainty as we engage God's creation.

No one wants politics in church. We would like to keep our worlds compartmentalized - which keeps things simple. But nothing my friends is simple. As Christians we are called to act in a variety of ways that require risk. Think about what the covenant means to us.

The Baptismal Covenant contains five questions regarding how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith. And where we, as the beloved children of God that we are, can find help. The answer from our worship is: I will, with God's help. Our help comes from one place and one place only, and that is God.

Our Baptismal Covenant concludes with five questions.

1. Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

2. Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

3. Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

4. Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

5. Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

These questions that we answer with - what may be argued - the most important statements of our lives, may in fact, just be said aloud because everyone else is saying it. We answer I will with God's help. These words are important beyond measure. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we actually did the things that we say we are going to do.

Right now, along our borders, we are tightening security, which is right to do. I remember camping along the border thirty years ago and witnessing first-hand nefarious activity - ask me about this as it's a great story. The problem as I see it is the way we are doing it and it begs the question, how do these actions, well reported at one time in the media, but now are being pushed to the back pages of the paper by the threat of war with Iran, fires in Australia, and who knew in advance of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' potential distancing themselves from the daily activities and responsibilities of the royal family.

If we were to continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers, our churches would be full. If we were to persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord, which frankly we all do. It is the message of God in the Garden of Eden. But it does not stop at the fall, it continues guiding us in how we are to act, when we do come up short. We are called to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. These are huge words, but if we just walk the walk that we have been saying we are, then we will be fine. We are all called to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself. I recognize that it is hard to find Christ in all persons, but that is also why we are called to "repent our own sinfulness." We must be able to look deeply into the eyes of another and see Christ. And then, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. Wow. What would the world look like if we were to do this?

With the gift of being, comes tremendous responsibility.
Jonathan +