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Homily Highlights for January 4, 2015 – Epiphany Sunday A GOD FOR ALL PEOPLE

“The Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6)

FOLLOWING A STAR Do wise men or mad men follow stars on a long journey toward hope, bringing gifts to a new baby? Why should King Herod and “all Jerusalem with him” be frightened of this? Is this star the sign of a profound and frightening change? Does the heart of God shatter boundaries that were a source of security and comfort? All of these questions converge on Epiphany, a curious word which means to reveal boldly. In a time of many gods in many lands, the gods might be pet deities that kings would seek to manipulate for their own power and purposes. A God for all people reigning through an infant King of Kings, who calls shepherds from the fields and wise men from distant lands to a humble stable, is a power that shakes past, present and future. Herod assaults it and we would seek to tame it in a holiday season. Epiphany shatters boundaries and there are few things so threatening in any age.

THE DEEP RELATEDNESS OF LIFE It has been a good service of modern science to remind us how deeply connected all of organic life is. For if we learn how much in common a tree and a human being have at the elemental level, how absurd all racism becomes. How deeply challenged are our casual habits that damage the fabric of life. Why we could follow a star is less of a mystery when we realize we are made of the same elements. We are stardust contemplating the stars. Epiphany reveals the heart of our God in creation and redemption: A redemption that is meant to be universal and is symbolized by the three wise men from a distant land journeying to worship the new born Christ in fellowship with poor shepherds. They probably couldn’t speak the same language but the spiritual language of the heart and soul spoken by angels and stars brings them together. The worship of one God was a great gift the religion of Israel brought to the world and now as Paul observed, “The Gentiles have become fellow heirs.”

EPIPHANY IN A PLURALISTIC AGE Can we respect diversity in our times without surrendering our convictions and genuine faith commitments? It is because I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and because he taught and modeled a deeply inclusive love that I believe we can and we must. Appropriate respect for people of other faith traditions in a time when religious violence is still too common is only one of our challenges. The drifting values of secularism and the stressful demands of modern life can pull many people away from a relationship with God. Yet we are called to stay in a relationship of respectful love with God and all people, persevering in our own faith, and patiently and creatively finding ways to be instruments of the God who calls through stars and angels and all things in life, to God’s people to be in a loving relationship so that we may truly live. From the precious elements come the gifts of the wise men: Gold for the King of Kings, Frankincense that the air may be filled with God’s worship, and Myrrh for anointing in life, and death; anointing all life for God its creator.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 21 – The Fourth Sunday of Advent MARY, THE GOD-BEARER

KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES The Song of Mary: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior: for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed. (Luke 1:46-48) Gospel: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. (Luke 1:38)

MARY SAID YES! WHAT DO WE SAY? How extraordinary to be asked by an angel to believe that the very life of God could dwell and grow within you. The life of God that would be born and dwell among us. The life of God that would heal and reconcile. The life of God that would suffer and die for us and rise again—and in that dying and rising, offer us the gift of His own Holy Spirit that becomes to us all a promise and a question.

Do you believe that the very life of God can dwell and grow within you? (For that is one purpose of the Holy Spirit.) We are all Mary in facing that question. We can never again recite in the Baptismal Covenant that Christ was “conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit” without considering if we are willing to have our lives directed by that same power.

A CRADLE AND A CROSS Mary’s love as the God-bearer was something extraordinary. The two most compelling images of Mary in Christian Art are the Madonna cradling the newborn Jesus and Michelangelo’s great sculpture, The Pieta, that depicts Mary cradling the broken body of Jesus after he is taken down from the cross. A cradle and a cross frame the great love of Mary. “I am the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.” Why is love so costly? Yet Mary is told by the Angel Gabriel, “Do not be afraid.” This love will not end in tears, for there is one more scriptural story of Mary. “They all joined together in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:14) Joined in prayer awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit. In that vision of prayer, Mary saw all that the power of God’s love would release through the baby she was blessed to bear.

So we celebrate Christmas each year not just as a remembrance of an event of the past, but in hope that each year our hearts can be a cradle where Christ is born anew, by the gift of the Holy Spirit He gave us so long ago. We celebrate Christmas not only for children, though they enrich it with their innocent joy and expectation, but seasoned by all the lessons we have gathered in the journey from childhood magic to maturity—we see Mary with new eyes and with her we say, “Yes! The life of God can dwell and grow within me.”

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 7 – The Second Sunday of Advent PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES Old Testament: Comfort, O comfort my people... A voice cries out, “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord…” (Isaiah 40:1, 3) Gospel: As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Mark 1:2-3)

THE LONG ROAD OF SALVATION HISTORY Our Old Testament reading from the prophet Isaiah is closely linked with our Gospel today—a link that points to the unfolding story of redemption that leads to Jesus Christ. The Jesse Tree that our Church School children prepared is a great symbol and icon of that story. Jesse was the father of King David and it was from this family tree that Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, was descended. The symbols of the Jesse Tree look back even further than Jesse, all the way to the beginning of the biblical story: Adam and Eve, The Tree of Life, Noah and the flood, Abraham and the Patriarchs, Moses and the Prophets, King David and the lineage leading to Joseph, the Angels who come to Mary who receives their message with faith, God’s Word which will carry that faith to every future generation represented in the symbol of “The Builders” called to continue building Christ’s Church— Builders who are reminded by God’s Word that “No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 2:11)

THE MINISTRY OF THE BUILDERS The true meaning of Christmas is well disguised if not obliterated in our culture, so each new generation must carry the story to our children of the Good News of the coming of Jesus—A story that shapes lives, young and old, that can experience Emmanuel—a name which means “God with us”. A God whose comfort and compassion reaches across the generations and is to us a power that is not just a warm remembrance of a story of the past but life-giving values that shape the present and the future. We share with joy the blessings of the season even as we acknowledge with courage how far we still have to go to embrace the message of “Peace on Earth”. Joined together, that joy and courage moved with compassion creates a stronger spirit of giving that is not just for this season but a touch of God’s Kingdom and God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

We cannot wait until December 25th to begin. Even now we “Prepare the Way of the Lord” by entering into a prayerful experience of God’s Word and the ministry of sharing so that the path of Advent leads us to the cradle where Christ can be born anew in each of our hearts.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for November 30 – The First Sunday of Advent KEEP AWAKE

KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES Old Testament: “We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) Gospel: “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13:37)

ADVENT 2014 In the midst of so many holiday activities, sometimes too hurried, “Keep awake” may be what we say to ourselves at the end of a busy day with still one more thing to do in the evening. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah—which has its own remarkable biblical story—and the New Year, are all meant to be happy times. Why does a day we call “Black Friday” stand at the gateway and news stories with the ominous message of lower consumer spending make us wonder if this is the season to be jolly? Would greater simplicity really be so bad for us?

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL The haunting melody of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” moves our heart to a different place—a mysterious magic and hope that reminds us the counter-cultural experience of Advent in the Church is something for which we are thankful. The color blue moves us to a place somewhere in between pure violet penitence and the white of celebration—a place of contemplation in the midst of the noise and haste, where the hard reality of want is met by the joy of giving. And we might find that our most cherished memories of the Christmas season are in special and poignant times of giving. This is how it is meant to be in the season of Emmanuel —God with us. Keep awake; God is here.

THE POTTER AND THE CLAY The Scripture readings on the First Sunday of Advent are filled with apocalyptic images of the coming of God—a bracing reminder that in the end, the reality of God will overshadow everything else in this world that claims such urgency and importance. “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down.” (Is. 64:1) Come down and remind us of what really matters. Well, God does tear open the heavens and come down. We name this coming as Jesus Christ and in walking closely with him in this holy season, we can find a life of meaning being gently shaped as the hand of the potter shapes the clay into the masterwork God means it to be. O come Emmanuel, and bring --Songs to our hearts and to broken or empty hearts needing songs --Warm times of fellowship that overflow to the lonely --Banquets to the hungry --Gifts, gifts from wise men who brave the journey to the place where the gifts are most needed.

O come, Emmanuel-God with us. Keep awake. God is here.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for November 16 – The 23rd Sunday after Pentecost GOD’S TALENTS: NURTURED IN COMMUNITY OR BURIED IN FEAR

KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES

New Testament: Therefore encourage one another and build up each other as indeed you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Gospel: I was afraid and I went and hid your talent in the ground. (Matthew 25:25)

THE COMMUNITY OF ENCOURAGEMENT IN A GIFTED CREATION

God has woven it into the fabric of life from ecosystems to faith communities: Many diverse gifts, many people working together bring a wholeness that is greater than the sum of its parts and in it there is joy and accomplishment. We can see it in our work places at their best, we can see it in our churches and we can see it in God’s gifted creation. God is generous, we are blessed and to respond in thanksgiving brings an abundance of life. This is a life of stewardship. Investing our talents in God’s gift of life multiplies the gift for those who give and those who receive. It is a Theology of Abundance even in difficult times. Moving from fear to faith even in difficult times is so much the story of God’s Word from Abraham to Mary and Joseph. We cannot see the entire story when we are called. We cannot make the whole journey at once yet we are called to make that step of faith, invest that talent and see God give the growth.

BURIED ALIVE

In the Gospel today, the man who buries his one talent in the ground presents an image of one who is buried in a grave while he is still living. Fear does that to us. It is not how many talents you have that is most important but whether you invest those talents in God’s gift of life and, however simply, make the world a better place, closer to God’s Kingdom. In the Gospel all who invest their talents are equally praised no matter what the number of talents. So it is with our pledging, the collective energy of faith commitment is the foundation of the stewardship of St. Stephen’s. Never be afraid to make that first step of faith for faith bears fruit of abundance.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for November 9 – The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost THE LIGHT OF WISDOM

KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES

Old Testament: Wisdom is radiant and unfading...to fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding. (Wisdom of Solomon 6:12, 15)

Psalm: Hear my teaching, O my people, incline your ears to the words of my mouth (Psalm 78:1)

Gospel: Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.” (Matthew 25:1)

ORIGINAL MEANING

In the Bible, Wisdom is God’s guiding light for right living and in the New Testament is embodied in Jesus Christ, Christ the power of God and the Wisdom of God. (1Corinthians 1:24) This is a crucial development, for Wisdom cannot in this context be seen as something the unaided human intellect is capable of—true Wisdom requires trusting discipleship, grounded in faith, hope and love. In the Gospel, the wise bridesmaids exercised what we consider admirable foresight in bringing oil for their lamps, and if we understand the bridegroom to be Christ, a commitment to always be ready to go with him, holding nothing back. THE FAITH TO KEEP THE LAMP BURNING ALWAYS.

The “foolishness” of the foolish bridesmaids lies not in failing to understand how short the time would be before their lamps went out, but the unwillingness from the outset to commit to the faith of “keeping the lamp burning always.”

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY

It is the challenge for everyone in the spiritual life to be ready for the long walk and sometimes patient waiting upon the Lord that is part of a commitment to Christ. It is a great challenge to our culture of instant gratification and shows how elusive true wisdom can be no matter how technically proficient we are. Our Psalm today puts a strong emphasis on what we teach our children and I know that this strikes a responsive chord for the parents in our faith community. We do sense that the mastery of many facts and of much gadgetry will not be enough for them to learn the Way of Wisdom which alone can lead to a truly happy and meaningful life and a life that will make our communities a better place. When Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven in the Gospels, it is most often done with very down to earth parables, pointing to the heart of the prayer he taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. They kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for November 2 – All Saints Sunday CALLED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD

KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:1)

BEHIND THE STAINED GLASS In churches throughout the world the saints are enshrined in stained glass windows. Their appearance seems otherworldly, beyond human struggle and weakness. They tell us a different story in their own words. St. Paul, who wrote a major portion of the New Testament, declares himself to be the worst of sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15) St. Peter, the leader of the apostles, deserts and denies Jesus during his passion and tells Jesus when they first meet, “Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8) Jesus already knows the state of humanity and calls Peter despite his weaknesses. This is how God works with all of us, calling us in love “just as we are” knowing that in Christ we can be made new. We can be made children of God.

WE ARE CALLED AS A COMMUNITY St. Paul uses the term “saints” to address entire communities of believers (Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi) and teaches through Scripture that it is diverse people with diverse gifts, working together in love for the common good, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that makes us into “The Body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12 and 13) This is a calling even more awesome than being an “individual” saint: For a saint can come to share increasingly in God’s vision of the good of the whole community.

A CALL TO BLESSEDNESS FROM JESUS Our Gospel today consists of a set of teachings by Jesus called “The Eight Beatitudes.” His first call to blessedness, “Blessed are the poor in spirit (those who know their need of God—NEB) for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven,” is essential to all that follows; rather than trying to be a spiritual muscleman who towers above all others, we humbly ask God in prayer to reveal our gifts and guide us in using them in His service. In response to our prayers, God will work through us great works of mercy and comfort, peacemaking and righteousness that will bring our lives and our faith communities closer to His kingdom.

CALLED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD Each new life, each celebration of Baptism is a special sign of God’s Kingdom—the gift of new beginnings and new hope. Perhaps, the biggest challenge and opportunity of our lives is to grow in love by learning to love as God loves with a deep patience, faithful companionship and wise guidance. Our lives are so enriched by our children and the Baptismal Covenant that brings us together to bless them and celebrate God’s blessing.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for October 26 – The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost ROOTS AND WINGS

KEYNOTE SCRIPTURES

Old Testament: You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18) Gospel: Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

ORIGINAL MEANING

It may be surprising to us that one of the ethical pillars of Christianity, the teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself” actually originated in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) In his own teaching, Jesus was building on the foundation of the faith of Israel in which he was nurtured, but moves much further in his teaching about love — “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) and “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:33) How does Jesus love us? “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Until Christ’s death and resurrection, even love was just one more “work of the law” that we would strive for in vain to earn God’s love. On Easter, the era of “Amazing Grace” begins.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY

It is important to note that even in his greatest teachings, Jesus is building on his own heritage while giving birth to a new creation. Learning how to honor and embrace the best of our heritage even while moving ahead into a creative future is sometimes called having ROOTS AND WINGS. We see it in an instant when looking at a four generation family—wisdom and prudence...energy and invention. They may seem in tension, yet working together they give us the greatest possibilities for a dynamic growing ministry. All generations are valued. I’ve spent a lot of time in hospitals and at the hospice in recent weeks, but even at the hospice, I do not see life ending. Rather, I see the radically different world view of the Christian Faith which captures the vision of our life as a precious gift forever embraced in the heart of the eternal God...the gift of life from its beginning, through its long season of growing, to its transformation to life with God. These are the milestones marked in the life and worship of the faith from Baptism to Burial and the life of growing in the love and service of Christ which can mark every step in between. This is the ministry of St. Stephen’s, offered as a gift to us by God’s “Amazing Grace.” I find the fourth verse of that great hymn speaking powerfully to us in our walk with God throughout our lives:

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.

This side of eternity our walk together is a stumbling one in our weakness, but sustained by God’s love, God’s Word and Sacrament, and God’s service—it leads us home. There is nothing more important than this, nothing more worthy of our best gifts and support.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for October 12 – The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost THE CHALLENGE OF COMMITMENT

KEY SCRIPTURE “Jesus spoke to them in a parable saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.’” (Matthew 22:1-2))

TOO BUSY FOR THE BANQUET? The celebration of a marriage and the reception/banquet that follows is such a special occasion. There is a deep joy and hope even in the midst of what we know are the great challenges of lifelong commitment. It is a time of sharing a celebration of love for families and friends who are present. It is special and important to be invited. In today’s Gospel, the king issues an invitation not just once but twice. There is an urgency that goes with the king’s generosity but those who were invited “made light of it and went away.” There are more important things to do. They were too busy for the banquet. Some of those invited showed far more than casual disregard and mistreated and killed the king’s messengers. The consequences were severe but the king does not give up and expands his generous invitation to everyone, “the good and the bad.”

WHAT IS THE WEDDING ROBE? It may seem unfair or even strange that having gone through all that trouble to invite someone to the wedding banquet that the king would then cast him out for not having a “wedding robe.” If we understand the “wedding robe” as being analogous to a white baptismal garment, we can begin to understand this parable. Having been generously invited to love and fellowship with God in Jesus, we find in the invitation a call to grow as followers of Jesus. “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and above all clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

GROWING IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST The invitation to the banquet is a call to mature and grow in our walk of faith and love with Jesus Christ. There are touchstones in this journey.

1) We will find ourselves growing in the time we give to prayer and worship and the discovery of God’s Word as a living Word. 2) We will grow in a life of Stewardship- giving of our time, talents and treasure for the service of God’s kingdom.

There is a challenge to this commitment. As God moves more to the center of our lives, we will be moved to ask, “Is God getting my best?” Having accepted the invitation to the king’s wedding banquet, are we ready to put on the garment of the Baptismal Covenant and be changed?

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for October 5 – The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost CARING FOR THE LORD’S VINEYARD

KEY SCRIPTURES Old Testament: “Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard.” (Isaiah 5:1)

Psalm: “Turn now O God of hosts, look down from heaven; behold and tend this vine; preserve what your right hand has planted.” (Psalm 80:14)

ORIGINAL MEANING “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” (Psalm 24) God’s good creation from the earth to the nations to each of our lives is the Lord’s. In the Old Testament lesson from Isaiah, the Lord is angry and disappointed in his beloved Israel, delivered from slavery in Egypt, preserved in the desert wandering, and planted in a good land; the Lord had been let down. Israel fell into the worship of false gods and had become an unjust society: “the Lord expected justice but saw bloodshed; righteousness but heard a cry!” (Is. 1:7) In the Gospel, the Lord’s vineyard yields a great harvest but the tenants will not give the produce to the master, killing his servants and even his son. And there are serious consequences as the vineyard/the kingdom of God, is taken from tenants and “given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.”

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY There are many applications to our times:  our need to care for the earth or risk losing its life sustaining systems,  the call to the nations to be just and righteous societies or fall in internal corruption or endless cycles of destructive violence against each other,  the good stewardship of our own lives in self care and sharing the fruits of God’s harvest for the needs of others.

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” Few understood this as well or as comprehensively as St. Francis of Assisi whose feast day is October 4th. I close this portion of the homily by inviting us to say together the two great works of Francis of Assisi: The Canticle of Creation and The Prayer of St. Francis.

THE CANTICLE OF CREATION

1. Praised be my Lord God with all his creatures and especially our brother the Sun, who brings us the day and who brings us the light; fair is he and shines with a very great splendor O Lord, his light shows us your light. 2. Praised be my Lord for our sister the Moon, and for the stars, which God has set clear and lovely in the heavens. 3. Praised be my Lord for our brother the Wind, and for the air and cloud, gentle breezes and all weather by which you support all creatures. 4. Praised be my Lord for our sister Water, precious and clean, the Lord’s gift of water supports our lives. 5. Praised be my Lord for our brother Fire, which gives us light in the darkness and is bright and pleasant and very mighty and strong. 6. Praised be my Lord for our mother the Earth, which does sustain us and keeps us, and brings forth many fruits and flowers of many colors and grass. 7. Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon one another for God’s love’s sake, and who endure weakness and tribulation, blessed are those who shall love in peace for you, O Lord, will give them a crown of life. 8. Praise and bless the Lord and serve him with great humility.

THE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 28 – The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost TURN AND LIVE

KEY SCRIPTURES

Old Testament: “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

New Testament: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

ORIGINAL MEANING

Paul writes in the Epistle to the Philippians, “It is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (2:13)

“Hardness of heart” is a powerful and insightful biblical concept in understanding human sin. Even when the power of God’s love is reaching into us seeking to empower us to both will and work for his goodness, something in our heart says, “No.” It may be like the foot-stomping tantrum of a child or it may be the smooth talking, devious voices of the opponents of Jesus in the Gospel today. Either way, it is a turning away from God in a fundamental way. Turn back to God and live is the message of the prophet today. Turn and Live:

Turn from the sins of past generations; no one has to be a prisoner to the bad influences of their past life, “the life of the child is mine.” (v. 4)

Turn from the wrong choices of our own and live—it’s never too late— “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God.” (v. 32)

Our Baptismal promise offers the key—turn to Christ and his service.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY

Turn to Christ and his service. We state what that means in our Baptismal Covenant. (pp. 304-05, Book of Common Prayer)

 Continue in the apostle’s teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.  Persevere in resisting evil and whenever you sin repent and return to the Lord.  Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.  Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.  Strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.

This is what it means to turn and live.

Amen

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 21 – The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost WHO DESERVES TO BE SAVED?

KEY SCRIPTURES

Old Testament: “The Lord said, ‘...should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons?’” (Jonah 4:11)

The Gospel: “Are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16)

ORIGINAL MEANING

After running away from a call from God to preach to Nineveh, Jonah found himself in the belly of a whale crying out to God. God releases him and Jonah preaches repentance to Nineveh (the capital of the brutal Assyrian Empire). Jonah is upset when the Ninevites “turn from their evil ways,” for they were a people despised by many. It doesn’t seem fair that they can be saved. The Gospel offers a different perspective on the same theme. The laborers who work for one hour at the end of the day are paid the same as those who work all day. It doesn’t seem fair. The master speaks in the voice of a generous but mysterious God.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY

Why is Amazing Grace such a popular hymn? Is there something inside most of us that senses that WE ALL NEED GOD’S AMAZING GRACE? Life does not seem fair but perhaps we might sometimes find occasion to rejoice in that. If God’s justice was swift, unbending and ultimate, we would all die in our sins. As life is, we can “repent and return to the Lord,” learn from our offenses, make amends with those we have hurt and find ourselves wiser and more compassionate for the experience. Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.

Some people come to the Lord though they are members of a despised people (the Ninevites). Some people come to the Lord later in life and it may seem unfair to us that the Lord receives them joyfully. Consider this: virtue is its own reward, and offenses, before they are repented of, carry their own punishments. Be glad for every day you are privileged to walk with the Lord, for this is true joy—a joy that embraces both Christ’s death and risen life so it is something much more profound that just “happy feelings” which come and go for everyone.

And so, rejoice that the Lord “is concerned for Nineveh.”

Rejoice that the master of this world is “generous.”

For we all need that generosity.

Thanks be to God.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 14 – The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US

KEY SCRIPTURES

Psalm: “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness.” (Psalm 103:8)

The Gospel: “Peter came and said to Jesus ‘...how often should I forgive?’” (Matthew 18:21)

ORIGINAL MEANING

A common misunderstanding of the Bible is the belief that the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath while the New Testament reveals a God of love. Our Psalm today proclaims a God who has always been “full of compassion and kindness.” This is the source of the gift of forgiveness—for it is a gift when given and received—a gift “twice blessed.” It is precisely because God is the source that it can be without limits as Jesus teaches when he says to Peter he must forgive “seventy seven times”, using a symbolic number that points to a mercy as vast and open as the heart of God. Yet in the parable there is a price to pay when the slave does not forgive another slave’s small debt even after being forgiven a large debt by the king. What is the “torture” to be endured when we can’t forgive?

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY

I begin with some quotes from a very wise book, The Art of Forgiving, by Lewis Smedes.

“ The most creative power given to the human spirit is the power to heal the wounds of a past it cannot change.”

“We do our forgiving alone inside our hearts and minds; what happens to the people we forgive depends on them.”

“The first person to benefit from forgiving is the one who does it.” We don’t have to endure the “torture” of remaining angry with one who is hard to forgive.

The Art of Forgiving continues: “Forgiveness happens in three stages.”  “We rediscover the humanity of the person who wronged us.”  We surrender the right to get even (“overcome evil with good” Romans 12:21)  “We wish the person well.” (“pray for those who persecute you” Matthew 5:44) And the best we can wish for someone is to “repent and return to the Lord.”

In closing, I quote another wise book on forgiveness called The Forgiveness Book by Bob Libby. “When we are unable to let go of the past and so to forgive, our identity is defined by those who we hate, and who have hurt us. Through our Baptismal Covenant our identity is defined by Jesus, who loves us, and who died on the cross that we might have life” -a life worth living, wiser for the wounds healed by forgiveness. And so Lord, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 7 – The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost GOD’S GUIDANCE IN THE HARD WORK OF RECONCILIATION

KEY SCRIPTURES Old Testament: “You, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel: whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 33:7) New Testament: “Owe no one anything, except to love one another.” (Romans 13:8) The Gospel: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

ORIGINAL MEANING The Word of the Lord speaks to the prophet, the sentinel who stands in a place where he sees what no one else can see or perhaps what no one wants to see. And the Lord gives the sentinel a grave responsibility: Sound the trumpet as a warning to Israel whether the people heed it or not. In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be sentinels for the church and each other in a ministry of mutual care and responsibility. This is no longer the hard and lonely call of a single prophet but a call for the whole faith community directed by God’s love working through the continuing presence of Jesus Christ working among us. There is specific guidance for resolving problems: First—one to one discussion; second—small group discussion; third—the collective counsel of the church is called for; finally—there is the counsel to treat one who refuses to listen even to the church as a “Gentile and a tax collector.”

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY Historically, there have been two very different ways of understanding, especially the last portion of this teaching from Jesus. The practice of “shunning” practiced by a relatively few faith communities seems cruel, and as I would maintain, ultimately fails to understand the total meaning of the Gospel. Yet, there may be some useful insight here. First, when we are really angry with someone, it may well be wise to keep a distance for a while rather than to act on that anger in a highly destructive way that we will regret; but what we do with that temporary distance is important—if filled with prayer, good counsel and reflection, it may lead to a future healing of a relationship. Second, we may need to keep a certain distance for a while to keep ourselves from supporting wrong behavior and becoming in the words of modern counseling language: “an enabler or co-dependent”. Again, prayer and good counsel will be needed to know how and when to rebuild the broken relationship.

It is a fundamental teaching of the New Testament Scriptures that Christ came to embody God’s ministry of reconciliation and to pass it on to us. (2 Cor. 5:17-18) In this light, the alienation of “shunning” can never be seen as Christ’s answer to the problem of broken relationships.

“Treat them as a tax collector.” What does this really mean? It is important to remember that Matthew, who is the author of today’s Gospel, was himself a tax collector who was called by Christ to join in his ministry. He surely understood the deeper wisdom and persevering love of Jesus Christ and his power to make all things new, never giving up on us and with his very presence, offering us guidance in the hard work of reconciliation.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for August 31 – The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS

Last week in the Gospel, Peter responds to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” with a confession of faith: “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” But what kind of Messiah? Jesus begins to “explain to his disciples” that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Peter takes Jesus aside and begins to rebuke him, “Never Lord, this shall never happen to you.” (16:22) Jesus responds, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God but things of men.” (16:23 NIV) How does Peter fall so far so fast? It’s not really about Peter but about what spiritual power is working through him: In his confession of faith it is the HOLY SPIRIT; In his rebuking Jesus and attempting to obstruct God’s plan of salvation it is SATAN. Human beings are weak vessels. No man can be the rock but God can do wondrous things through us in the power of GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT.

WHAT KIND OF MESSIAH? What we see in Peter in these Gospel accounts is a snapshot of the human condition. Sometimes we get it right; sometimes we get it very wrong. It is in seeking and cultivating the gift of the “discernment of spirits.” (Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 12) that we can increasingly be an instrument of the Holy Spirit. It was the “spirit of the age” that Peter got trapped in, not uncommon in any age. Many Jews of Roman Palestine looked for a warrior and conqueror like King David to rid them of Roman oppression; to call Jesus “Son of David” encouraged this view. The Scriptures did offer another vision: “Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Suffering Servant.” (Isaiah 9:53) What will the real Messiah be? Peter can not be judged too harshly for missing this. Jesus never gives up on Peter. Even when Peter is boasting at the Last Supper of his courage while Jesus knows that he will deny him three times, Jesus still sees beyond Peter’s weaknesses to God’s plan. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)

THE ROCK OF FAITH That faith would yet be a rock but we must wait for the coming of THE HOLY SPIRIT in the book of Acts of the Apostles to see the Peter whose faith is a rock, teaching with courage and insight. (Ch 2, 3, 4, 10, 11) Peter now knows clearly it’s the gift of God’s Holy Spirit that has made this possible. A gift that Peter proclaims will be widely offered by the “living God.” “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:36)

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for August 24 – The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost WHO DO WE SAY JESUS IS?

KEY SCRIPTURES New Testament: We who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. (Romans 12:5) The Gospel: Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

ORIGINAL MEANING In Roman Palestine in the time of Christ, the people were hungry for hope: To be touched by God speaking through a prophet or even to be led by a Messiah to throw out the Romans and restore the Kingdom of King David. In his strength, simplicity and powerful teaching and healing, Jesus had the look of a prophet like Jeremiah or Elijah but not the conquering might of King David….so the people thought. Peter sees differently by the light of God’s Spirit and answers Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” - the living God who spreads the life of Jesus to every generation of his followers so that St. Paul can write, “We are...one body in Christ.”

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY Early in Scripture God says, “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Gen 2:16) So there is something God- breathed within us that longs to be connected, to be part of something bigger than ourselves...from family life to a shared cheer at a football game we are led to ways not to be alone. Who do we say Jesus is? Can it be that who Jesus is for us is the very power within us and among us that makes us something quite different than what we are if left to our own devices, living primarily for ourselves alone in a culture that would readily encourage it, finding working together a great struggle when varied goals and personalities obscure a common vision. The Living God in Christ holds up another vision and empowers us to always reach for it, sustained by grace, in spite of our imperfections. “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we who are many are one body in Christ and individually we are members one of another.” (Romans 12:4-5)

Who do we say Jesus is? Not the Son of a remote God in the sky, but in the words of Peter, the son of the living God - living close to every heart, changing lives, solving problems, building community where it was thought to be impossible.

Son of the Living God—living for our ancestors, living for us and for our children’s children. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for August 17 – The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost SINS AND VIRTUES OF THE HEART

KEY SCRIPTURE “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and this is what defiles.” (Matthew 15:10)

ORIGINAL MEANING In the streets of Israel during biblical times, voices could be heard crying “unclean”. It might be the voice of a leper warning people of his approach or it might be the warning of a religious leader telling others not to eat foods that were ritually unclean in the law of Moses. This was all part of a purity code that was being challenged by Jesus in his ministry in which lepers were touched and healed even on the Sabbath, and the spiritual and ethical state of the heart were considered more important than observing laws about clean and unclean foods or condemning and isolating entire groups of people who were considered “unclean”. We see a dramatic illustration of this in the second part of the Gospel when Jesus performs a healing for a Canaanite woman, who would have been considered unclean because she was part of the pagan Canaanite nation. Jesus praises her extraordinary faith in him and responds to her need.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY We can do great damage with words, especially words that come from a heart that has been twisted by hatred or blinded by anger and hurt. “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart and this is what defiles,” Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel. We may aim angry words at someone else but find that the arrow has gone through our own heart, wounding the soul with bitterness and diminishing our capacity to love. This is what defiles. When this moves from the interpersonal to the social level where entire groups may be condemned and attacked, the damage becomes a bleeding wound in our world. What we may have perceived in the Scripture as being a very old argument about cultic laws that are no longer relevant to us, becomes a mirror of insight into the great spiritual struggles in ourselves and in our society...for God’s Word is a living Word.

It is important to remember in the midst of this struggle, that for every spiritual danger, God offers the resources not only to overcome it, but the Holy Spirit, who can create a new heart within us. (Psalm 51) From today’s Gospel let’s not just take a cautionary message about the hurt that is caused by acting from an embittered heart, but let it be a catalyst for seeking the blessings that come from the power of the Holy Spirit renewing our heart which will then bear fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. This is a promise of Scripture (Galatians 5:22-23) It is what I hear people saying they seek most from God and their faith. When it is the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts, what comes from our mouth will bless and not defile.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for July 6 – The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost ‘TIS A GIFT TO BE SIMPLE

“At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.’” (Matthew 11:25)

THE BAPTIZING COMMUNITY From the cradle of Christmas to the baby at the font of Baptism, God has given a remarkable power to a life unaware of it—a new born baby. He brings us together at Christmas for joy, giving and a wondrous glimpse of God. She brings us together at the font of Baptism to make promises about faith and right living in the renewed hope that this, new life can yet be an instrument of God to make all our lives better. What is revealed to a baby but a cry or a smile that says I live...and in this simplicity there is a magnetic power that draws us together in a stronger love that will even hope for a better world for this child and bring a thought for what we might do ourselves to make that happen. Problems are complicated and we all get weary, yet the power will touch us to love and live better.

“TV’S FINEST HOUR” A recent news magazine article declared “Breaking Bad”, a show about “a timid high school chemistry teacher who discovers he has terminal lung cancer and decides to pay his family’s bills by cooking the finest crystal meth in New Mexico” (Newsweek, 7/4/11) to be “TV’s finest hour.” Not wishing to imply support of one of the most destructive drugs of our time and a system of cruelty and violence that supports its distribution, the strength of the show is said to lie in its character study. “The meekest person among us, given the right circumstances can become dangerous too,” says the lead actor, Bryan Cranston. From Hannibal Lecter to the timid teacher turned pusher in “Breaking Bad”, is a kind of amoral fascination with character now the gold standard of our culture. In freedom we can make up our own minds, a difficult freedom that our third century of celebrating the Fourth of July might lead us to contemplate. “America, God shed his grace on thee”, but don’t forget the second verse: “America, God mend thy every flaw.” Yes, God’s power must do it for even as we stand at the Baptism font of an innocent, beautiful baby, we know there is a power of “Breaking Bad” they will encounter and we name it. “Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?” “Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?” The strong and perceptive simplicity of faith we are called to is to discern that this spiritual struggle is real and to make the time and commitment to engage it: Problems may be complex and human character ambiguous but we do make choices and those choices matter from now into eternity for ourselves and our children. Is this burden heavy for us?

OUR HELP IS IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH This prayer which begins our service of Compline (BCP p. 127) gives strength to the gentle invitation of Jesus to “Come to me, all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Rest in the spiritual struggle, Wisdom too for good choices, Active Love for witness and the rest to find God’s peace in our simple and faithful efforts called by a Christmas cradle and font of Baptism.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for June 29 – The Third Sunday after Pentecost A Cup of Cold Water for the Little Ones

“Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing.” (Psalm 89:1)

“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

ORIGINAL MEANING

Jesus had a great heart of compassion for children and for all who were the most vulnerable and in the greatest need. Giving a “cup of cold water” could mean literally that—a strong image in the arid land of Israel where access to water has always been of great importance. Yet, Jesus who came to be “the living water” (John 4:10) is always speaking to more than physical needs. Jesus Christ as the “Living Water” changes every aspect of our lives.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY

The “Living Water” of Christ in our lives makes us more prayerful and compassionate.

When Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “whoever welcomes you, welcomes me” (Matthew 10:40) we are reminded of his teaching, “whatever you do for the least of my people you do for me” (Matthew 25:40). We see that our “relationship with Christ” cannot be separated from any of the relationships in our lives.

The “little ones” are of special importance. In this week of Vacation Bible School here at St. Stephen’s, I am especially reminded of that. Many people working together to provide a good and enjoyable experience for our children learning about God and God’s Word is such a genuine expression of exactly what Christ calls us to in bringing a cup of “living water” to our little ones.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for June 22 – The Second Sunday after Pentecost Challenged To Be A New Family of God

“If we have died with Christ we believe that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8)

“Those who find their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

ORIGINAL MEANING There is always a cost of discipleship. As Matthew’s Gospel was being heard, already the persecutions of Christians had begun by the Roman authorities. Indeed it was divisive for families. No one wanted to lose a father, a mother, a sister or a brother to this terrible persecution that could even cost a Christian his life. Jesus’ words of potential family division are easier to understand in this context. This is not intended to be anti-family. Indeed the new Christian faith was gaining popularity in the pagan world because it strengthened family life in the midst of values that were tearing it apart. (I would refer you to our collection of Scripture readings recommended for weddings on p. 426 of the Prayer Book for a good sampling of the biblical teaching that strengthens marriage and family.) But there was a crisis at hand in which Christ was asking the ultimate loyalty.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY I have sometimes found over the years that people, who for various reasons, were severely alienated from their family found the love and support they needed from a strong church family. Sometimes this even helped lead to reconciliation for their own family. Jesus is challenging us to be a new family of God that is not limited by bloodlines in its definition. Jesus is challenging all people to be a new family of God that is not limited by national boundaries. This is no small challenge. For it challenges so much in the corrupted human nature that incites racism, war, and so much human suffering. Something in us IS being called to die so that something even greater can live. The power of Jesus in our lives is a life changing power. “For those who are far away and for those who are near.”

In our times when the frontiers of evangelism are often in our own families and communities, the Faith commends to us important guidance for our own behavior.

BE FAITHFUL Do not let the often weakened state of commitment around us to negatively influence our own commitment to regular prayer, worship and service to the Lord.

BE INVITING With grace invite others to join us in prayer, study of God’s Word and ministries of service.

BE PRAYERFUL AND PATIENT We might prefer to be sent to the other side of the world to share our faith rather than deal with the sensitive and often frustrating situations we can encounter in our families and communities. PRAY for the Lord’s courage, wise guidance and patience. The way will be shown.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for June 15 – Trinity Sunday Creator, Redeemer, Ever-Present Guide

“O Lord our governor, how exalted is your name in all the world.” (Psalm 8:1)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)

THE GIFT OF JOY AND WONDER IN ALL YOUR WORKS

This phrase is from the closing prayer of our Baptism Service perhaps recognizing that it is the Wonders of God’s Creation that first awakens in us the presence of God and calls us to thanksgiving “for the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.” We rejoice in God our Creator. Yet all in nature is not beautiful as we are reminded by many natural disasters. We need something more from our God - which brings us to Christmas.

JESUS CHRIST AS “EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US”

In the wake of what we call natural disasters, the human response is as varied as looting and compassionate relief efforts. The symbol of the Red Cross is the symbol we would most associate with the response of compassionate relief. Although not a religious organization, in its origins in mid 19th century Christian Europe, the symbol of the cross is taken to be instantly understood as the symbol of compassion and healing and would often be used to distinguish medics on the field of battle as well. So our vision of God is enlarged beyond the powerful and mysterious creator who sends both blessing and disaster to the inspiring power of compassion in Jesus Christ who in hanging on the cross for our sins reveals an astounding solidarity with human suffering by the loving God who would turn looters into ministers of compassion and healing. In Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God, we experience a kind of second generation of God’s being that does not leave us to die either in the rubble of disasters or the wounds of our sins.

GOD AS EVER-PRESENT GUIDE

In the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts and dwelling in the cooperative power of many and varied gifts at work in the faith community, we can experience God as an ever-present guide who not only continually reminds us of the teachings of Jesus but gives us the power to grow into disciples of Jesus. God as Creator, Redeemer and Ever-Present Guide may be called the MYSTERY of the Trinity, but we find that God’s very being is the answer to human need and human hope because God loves the world that he made.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for June 8 – The Day of Pentecost Pentecost and the Language of Faith “When the day of Pentecost came they were all together in one place...All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2:1, 4) (Repeated in Spanish and in Sign Language.)

DREAMS AND VISIONS St. Peter less than two months after he had denied Jesus three times and ran in fear on Good Friday, finds himself the leader and spokesman of a new faith. The Holy Spirit had landed as Jesus had promised. Peter quotes the prophet Joel in his teaching: “In the last days it will be, God declares that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Joel 2:28-32)

The first gift and sign is language: “In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power...what does this mean?” (Acts 2:11-12)

A faith that worships one God for all the people is born. Divine power will not be the tool of emperors or the possession of any one nation. “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

God will be accessible to all people in all languages (the Bible has been translated into over 2400 languages) even as Jesus directed, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) It would take centuries to unfold, but the vision came to pass and the dream still challenges us.

WHAT IS OUR LANGUAGE? Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me...Out of the believers heart shall flow rivers of living water.” John notes, “He said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive.” (John 7:37-39) What are we thirsty for? Is the Bible still speaking our language?

The Scriptures tell us (1 Corinthians 12, 13, Romans 12) that the Holy Spirit leads us to discern and develop gifts within ourselves and use those gifts for the common good of a faith community bound together by love: meaning, belonging, service, peace with God and with each other are as vital to life in the 21st century as they were in the first. To borrow a current phrase, “Stay thirsty, my friend” - but for the real living water.

We are unlikely to be exchanging Pentecost cards or gifts today and does anyone know where to find a good Pentecost party? There are no layers of consumer culture diluting this feast like Christmas and Easter. Should we just drop it in favor of one more day at the beach? What if there were a world without a divine Spirit inspiring dreams and visions? ...A sad world to contemplate. ...Stay thirsty, my friends.

Fr. Hagerman

Homily Highlights for May 11 – The Fourth Sunday of Easter Mother’s Day

On this Sunday, when we receive the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who leads and nurtures us, it is good to connect this image of Christ to Mother’s Day.

MOTHER’S DAY PROCLAMATION 1870 The first North American Mother’s Day was envisioned with Julia Ward Howe’s “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870. Despite having written the Battle Hymn of the Republic 12 years earlier, Howe had become so distraught by the death and carnage of the Civil War that she called on mothers to come together in an international Mother’s Day celebrating peace and motherhood.

She wrote, “Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts. Whether your baptism be that of water or tears, say firmly… ‘Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience’ ...Let us solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace.” June 2nd was designated for this new holiday. By 1873, 18 cities observed this new mother’s holiday with Howe funding the celebrations. Boston continued to celebrate this day for ten more years. Though in time it faded, the seeds were planted and a West Virginia women’s group led by Anna Reese Jarvis began to celebrate an adaptation of Howe’s holiday in order to reunite families and neighbors that had been divided between the Union and Confederates in the Civil War. They called their celebration “Mother’s Friendship Day.”

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER WHO INSPIRED MOTHER’S DAY This same Anna Reese Jarvis was a Sunday School teacher for over 20 years at Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. After her death, her daughter, Anna M. Jarvis, persuaded the church to hold the first Mother’s Day celebration on May 10, 1908. Anna arranged for white carnations, her mother’s favorite flower, to be given to all the mothers in attendance. With the support of the World Sunday School Association, Anna Jarvis worked to establish Mother’s Day throughout the nation and President Woodrow Wilson signed it into a national observance in 1914. Anna Jarvis became dismayed in later years at what she saw as the floral industry’s exploitation of the holiday, but unknown to her, the Florist Exchange, a trade association, anonymously paid for Anna M. Jarvis’ care in her declining years. By the time she died in 1948, over 40 countries observed Mother’s Day. To this day, the International Mother’s Day Shrine can be visited at the same Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia where Anna Reese taught Sunday School for over 20 years.

I think this day makes glad the heart of God and the Angels especially when we consider its origins in that same dream of the healing of the nations that God’s own Word reveals to us. If this dream can seem overwhelming and beyond our ability to solve the multitude of problems that prevent its fullness, we are made to touch in simple ways the goodness of God’s love in family. And if family fails, the vision of God that all are his children. We probably have never considered Mother’s Day as a radical, transforming vision but if we place Julia Ward Howe’s inspired words next to the sad stories in the newspapers of this Mother’s Day, we find them as prophetic as Revelation: “Let us solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace.”

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for May 4 – The Third Sunday of Easter Walking with Christ on the Road to Emmaus

Walking together with Christ is the image of today’s Gospel account of Jesus walking on the road to Emmaus on the first Easter with disciples who were very confused and frightened about where they were going or even if there were any place to go after the crucifixion of Jesus. (Luke 24:15-35) Jesus does not force them into a quick decision but LISTENS to them and their hopes and fears and then unfolds the Scriptures to them and joins them for a meal where “he is known to them in the BREAKING OF THE BREAD.” Here we see, modeling a way of evangelism that begins with LISTENING and from that listening, discerning the way to open up the power of God’s Word and community in meal fellowship. So powerful was this experience that knowing Christ in the Scriptures and in the Breaking of Bread became the model for the principal form of worship for the new Sabbath Day, now to be celebrated not on the last day of the week but on the first, the day that Jesus rose again from the dead. So Christ now is known to us each Sunday in the SCRIPTURES and THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD in the Holy Eucharist as we follow his command to “Do this is remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)

WALKING WITH CHRIST IN THE WAY OF DISCIPLESHIP There are many things we are called to do in the Way of Discipleship to Christ and not just to remember him, but to keep his life as a motivating and guiding power within us and in our communities.

We know him in the Scriptures and the Breaking of the Bread in our life of prayer, worship and Christian Education.

We know him as we serve him in responding to the needs of others, knowing that what we do for the least of his people we do for him. (Matthew 25:40)

So Scripture unfolds for us a three-fold way of discipleship:

1) Prayer and Worship 2) Prayerful study of the Scriptures 3) Service in the name and power of Jesus

This is a way of life to be shared with others and so we are called to evangelism. A gentle, yet powerful evangelism that listens, prays and serves.

We are in this Easter season still on the Road to Emmaus, finding our way and helping others to find their way also.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for April 27 – The Second Sunday of Easter From Doubt to the Peace of God in Faith

GOSPEL “Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you….Thomas, do not doubt but believe.’” (John 20:19, 27)

THE TRUST OF A CHILD As we gather on a Baptism Sunday in the second week of the Easter Season, I find myself thinking about faith from the perspective of a young child, for the cradle of loving arms is the place where faith is born long before the word is first spoken. There is warmth, feeding and quick responsiveness, and life in the world feels good and safe. But I remember the first time many years ago when my oldest daughter started restlessly moving in my arms wanting to explore the world of the nursery and home and there were some bumps and falls and tears in that exploring, but as long as there was a steady guide and arms to return to, the world could still feel good and safe. Over the years, the bumps and falls continued but seasoned by times of laughter and sharing and through it all life in the world can still feel good and safe for the child who is loved and learns faith.

As the child grows, there are questions and some of the answers are wondrous gifts and surprises and some are bumps and falls and tears….And if there is someone who will hear the questions and walk with you in finding the answers, the world can still seem good if not always as safe as the nursery. God has never turned away from our questions and doubts. They are written as prayers in the Psalms of lament and can lead to a deep and authentic faith. Doubting Thomas is the patron saint of Christians in India, for history and tradition tells us that Thomas went to one of the furthest corners of the world to proclaim the Gospel of the one who knew how to handle his doubts and lead him to an even deeper faith.

LOST CHILDREN IN A WORLD OF DOUBT, HOPEFUL CHILDREN IN A WORLD OF FAITH The gift of love we give to our children can grow into a gift of faith. Baptism plants the seed of the Spirit that marks them “as Christ’s own forever.” It is an irrevocable gift that will reach out to grow; waiting for the nurturing family…..telling the stories, celebrating the blessings, unafraid of the questions and even carrying the doubts with a patience that may challenge our own faith until God’s time of revealing comes for hopeful children in a world of faith.

Jesus does not leave Thomas in doubt but comes to him, leads him to faith and sends him. And the promises we make in the Baptismal Covenant will not allow us to leave our children in doubt, lost in a world without faith. The long walk of commitment that is the Easter Faith is made vivid today as we promise to support this child in his life in Christ.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for April 20 – The Sunday of the Resurrection Is It True?

The great teacher and theologian Karl Barth said that what brings people to worship, not just on Easter but any day, is an unspoken question deep in their hearts and minds and that question is: “Is it true?”

Is it true that God lives and gives us life? Is it true that something so extraordinary happened on that first Easter morning that we can always rebuild hope in our lives on its foundation? Is it true?

For myself and all those who would seek the healing power of God’s love, I turn to the second principle of the “Celebrate Recovery Program”, a Christian 12 step program, to engage the question.

“I EARNESTLY BELIEVE THAT GOD EXISTS, THAT I MATTER TO HIM, AND THAT HE HAS THE POWER TO HELP ME RECOVER.” Recover from what? Not exclusively drug and alcohol addiction, but any hurt, habit or hang up that has a damaging impact on our lives. There are few if any who could not benefit from this life renewing power and life renewing power is the deepest meaning of Easter, for it is not a story that is locked in history 2,000 years ago, but a story that keeps happening.

THE GOD WHO CALLS US BY NAME In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene does not recognize the risen Jesus, and even mistakes him for the gardener, until he calls her by name… “Mary” and then she recognizes her teacher and healer. So it is for us: To believe in a distant God who did not know us or care about us would not empower our faith to receive the teaching and healing we all need. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind,” Jesus teaches us; and when that love of God touches everything that we are, then those habits which may rise to the level of addictions, those fears we cannot fully understand or overcome, and those hurts that sting like a wound that won’t heal, are touched with the healing power of God’s love—one day at a time in a spiritual journey that celebrates every step of progress empowered by the God who calls us by name.

GOD LIVES AND GIVES US LIFE There is far too much sadness and madness even in the news of Easter morning. The powers that nailed Jesus to the cross would still attack and oppress what is best in life, but I am heartened by simple acts of kindness, brave efforts for justice and peace, and the largest growing industry in the world that is dedicated to healing. We hurt and are hurt too much but we are teachable by a Great Wisdom that always leads us to a Great Love.

And so… It is true! It is true! IT IS TRUE! GOD LIVES AND GIVES US LIFE.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for April 6 – The Fifth Sunday in Lent I Am the Resurrection and the Life

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me even if they die, yet shall they live...do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26)

IN TODAY’S GOSPEL Jesus entered a place of grief, of sorrow, of death and despair. Jesus wept. Lazarus his friend had died. Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus and very close to Jesus, were struggling with their faith. Did Jesus let them down? Why did he wait two days after receiving the news to go to Lazarus and his sisters?

“If you had been here my brother would not have died,” they said in pain to Jesus. Doubt and skepticism surrounded Jesus— “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” In the face of grief and disappointment Jesus says, “Roll away the stone” of the tomb. There is more doubt and skepticism. He’s been dead four days; there will be a foul odor. Jesus is focused. Jesus cries out, “LAZARUS COME OUT.” Lazarus passes from death to life and, as if to death itself, Jesus says, “Unbind him and let him go.” “I am the resurrection and the life,” says Jesus, “those who believe in me though they were dead yet shall they live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

IN THE LIVES OF EVERY AGE, OF YOURS AND MINE Jesus enters a place of grief, of sorrow, where death and despair may find their season and Jesus wept. He still hears the disappointment. Why is there such suffering and injustice that crushes the innocent in our world? Why did this happen to me? There is still doubt and skepticism. Is there really a God at all? Can’t science explain everything? What matters is my own personal happiness and what can God do about that? To confused, fearful and skeptical hearts, Jesus again says, “ROLL AWAY THE STONE.” And there is fear and doubt. For who would roll away the stone that covers our fears and disappointments, our failures, frustrations and losses. In every age, trembling arms of faith have rolled away the stone and into the tomb the voice of Christ calls out, “COME OUT.” And to the prison of pain and brokenness, of sin and death, Christ says, “Unbind them and let them go.” In every age to those released and saved by faith, who know the transforming presence of Jesus Christ and the healing power of his love, his voice still speaks, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me even if they die, yet shall they live and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for March 30 – The Fourth Sunday in Lent Faith Is a Vision of the Heart

THE WORD OF GOD TODAY FINDS UNITY IN THE IMAGES OF LIGHT, DARKNESS AND VISION.

“One thing I know, though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)

“Once you were in the darkness but now in the Lord you are light.” (Eph. 5:8)

“For the Lord does not see as mortals see...Mortals look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam. 10:7)

SEEING PHYSICALLY, SEEING SPIRITUALLY Do you believe in miracles? Consider the carefully coordinated work of the eye and mind that opens for us all the colors and textures of life. To experience this as God’s gift is to make the leap in one moment from physical vision to spiritual vision. In the simple act of thanking the author of life for the gift of vision, we are changed. Nothing will look the same again. Do you believe in miracles? I always like to tell the story of Henry Buzzard who was deaf and blind with Usher’s Syndrome and through an operation regained enough sight to dramatically improve his life. “The Lord has given me back my sight and now I must serve him.” As I began training him for a lay ministry at St. Ann’s Church for the Deaf in New York City, I could not imagine that he would within a couple years be ordained and be the Pastor of the church for over 17 years. And it all began with Henry’s insight: that all gifts of healing, whether they come from faith or medicine or some combination of the two, are gifts from God.

WHO HAS VISION? WHO IS BLIND? Seeing physically, seeing spiritually: The man born blind in today’s Gospel lived in a physical and spiritual darkness. “You were born in utter” sin said the Pharisees, reflecting a common view of sin being the cause of disability. Jesus challenges this view. “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ask the disciples. “Neither,” says Jesus, but God will work through this to teach us about vision and light. For the man born blind, receiving his physical vision becomes the vehicle for spiritual vision: FAITH in the author of vision and the author of life who lives among us in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees who perceived themselves to be all seeing in the ways of God are shown to be BLIND in their fear of Jesus and his ministry.

FAITH IS A VISION OF THE HEART Seeing physically, seeing spiritually: Faith is, finally, a vision of the heart that sees that life is blindness without Christ. For he is the one who moves the heart to a song of thanksgiving for all the wondrous gifts of God’s Creation and sharpens the eye of perception to see beyond the outward appearance to the heart of a person where the image and likeness of God have been planted. Once we have seen the light and tasted this vision, THERE CAN BE NO COMFORTABLE RETURN TO THE DARKNESS.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for March 23 – The Third Sunday in Lent To Be Known Accepted and Transformed by Christ

“God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST Christ’s death for us “while we were yet sinners” is the stunning truth of the Good News of God’s love for us. Can we embrace it in faith by just hearing it read from the Bible? What really convinces you that you are loved? Long wordy explanations may bring more suspicion than comfort, for love is something that is ALIVE and woven into a relationship in ways that are at once simple and wondrous. God offers us many words of revelation, yet God shows us his face fully in the WORD made flesh Jesus Christ—A LIVING PRESENCE. Christ lived, died and rose for us and calls us to join him in that new fullness of life.

“For if when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, how much more having been reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)

This is a call for a personal, living relationship with Jesus. Today’s Gospel is a good illustration.

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL When Jesus encounters the woman at the well he disregards a number of prejudices in one act of reaching out—a Samaritan woman who had 5 husbands and was living with a 6th man would have been an outcast. Since divorce could be initiated by a man in Mosaic Law this was a woman who had experienced one rejection after another. In contrast, Jesus accepts her and offers her the living water of a living relationship of faith in him. Christ encounters us all JUST AS WE ARE with this offer of the “living water” of a personal relationship in faith.

WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE We see in our Old Testament reading that the response to God’s gift of life may be doubt and complaining. “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us,” the people complained to Moses, preferring SLAVERY to the RISK OF KNOWING GOD, demanding proof, “Is the Lord among us or not?” This stands in contrast to the woman at the well who has a different message, “He told me all I ever did” yet did not reject, discard or condemn me but offered a gift of love, a new vision for my life. This is a story that keeps happening, for God’s Word is a living Word.

“ God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...how much more having been reconciled, shall we be saved by his LIFE.”

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for March 9 – The First Sunday in Lent Lent Is a Time to Grow Stronger

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written, one shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

WHAT SHOULD I GIVE UP FOR LENT? It may be beneficial to think of a Lenten discipline in this way, especially if we are considering giving up something that is not good for us, in which case, this may be the first step of letting go. However, the best practices for Lent may be what we make stronger rather than what we give up. What might that involve?

GROW STRONGER IN PRAYER That may be private prayer. (Father Hagerman is available for spiritual direction.) Being regular at Sunday worship or taking advantage of our special services during Lent and Holy Week. (The Lenten program will be held every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. starting March 13.)

We might even start using the power of prayer to redirect our lives in significant ways.

In seeking God’s help in time of stress and perplexity.

In developing a deeper sense of THANKSGIVING (Gratitude as a spiritual discipline). Imagine celebrating the gifts of life in greater depth during Lent.

Yes, and confessing our sins and deepening our practice of receiving and giving forgiveness. (The Psalms offer some good exercises in this path of prayer.)

GROW STRONGER IN GOD’S WORD Because we do not live by bread alone, regular worship aids in this as well as Bible study. (The Lenten program will offer an opportunity in this area also.) A private Bible reading program is also possible.

GROW STRONGER IN SERVICE As we grow in our giving of our time, talent and treasure for the good the Church or the many needs of the community—we are growing in the great spiritual discipline of SERVICE.

Lent is a time to grow stronger. Consider the gifts of this season and take a step forward in faith.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for March 2 – The Last Sunday after Epiphany To See in a New Light

“ And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.” Matthew 17:2-3

ORIGINAL MEANING Just before ascending the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus is teaching his disciples that He, as Messiah, must suffer, be rejected and killed; but, he will rise again. (Mk 8:31) They only seem to hear the first part of his teaching and Peter, greatly alarmed, rebuked Jesus saying “God forbid Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Mt 16:22) Jesus tells Peter that his fears are a tool of Satan’s obstruction of his mission (Mk 8:33) and that all disciples will find their true life walking with him on the way of the cross. (Mk 8:34-35) This is not an attractive message to either the original disciples or we who would seek to be his disciples now. Only seeing with eyes of faith that the way of the cross leads to Easter and life renewed enables us to see Jesus in the new light in which we can follow him with a genuine joy and steadfast faith. This is the new light of Transfiguration, in which Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the journey of the past in the Law and the Prophets represented by Moses and Elijah in this Gospel and a new light, a new vision in which to live now and in the future.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY Jesus did not have to die because suffering itself is somehow good. Jesus died because the powers of evil sought to destroy his witness to sacrificial love, justice and truth. Commentator Rodney Hunter writes, “His passion revealed not only the ‘evilness of evil’ —its intrinsic deadly violence—but THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF DIVINE LOVE.” This is the Resurrection...this is the Easter faith...this is the new light of Transfiguration that we all need in trying to make sense of our own stories with all the struggles we carry. Carry them to the mountaintop to the light of Christ, to a new clarity in God’s Wisdom, to a new courage in God’s Hope and a life lived with new vitality in God’s Love. Though we cannot live on the mountaintop, we carry within us the Easter Faith renewed in every Sunday Holy Eucharist and relived every year that leads us to Easter. May you know the transforming power of God’s love, wherever and whenever you need it. Easter is meant to live forever in our hearts—the power to see in a new light everything in our lives that has been wounded, and to be raised up and begin again in the light of grace and blessing.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for February 2 – The Presentation of Our Lord The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

ORIGINAL MEANING According to the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:22-40) Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary’s ritual purification after childbirth and to present Jesus to the Lord “according to the Law of Moses.” “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord.” (Exodus 13:2, 12) They offer the sacrifice of poorer people who could not afford a lamb— two young pigeons.

In the temple, Mary and Joseph encounter Simeon and Anna who offered prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope because God had answered the longing prayers of Israel for a Messiah.

WHAT IT MEANS TODAY The birth of a child is still a time of celebration and most often this celebration is experienced by the church at the child’s Baptism. But there is another special service and prayers available: “A Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child.” (BCP p. 439) I have done this service on occasion in the hospital or at the home and it can be done in church. It contains some powerful prayers about birth and parenting. (BCP p. 444)

HOPE FOR OUR CHILDREN Simeon and Anna’s message of hope speaks to us across the centuries as we hope for a good future and a better world for our children. The source of this hope is the same for all generations: The coming of Jesus Christ and the gift of transformed lives when we turn to him in faith, hope, and love. And there is a special blessing for all when families turn to him together.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for January 26 - the 3rdt Sunday after Epiphany Going Fishing with Jesus

“From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’” (Matthew 4:17-19)

A FISHING STORY FROM RHODE ISLAND I never knew what a quahog was until I moved to Rhode Island. A kind of American clam, it is very popular in the Ocean State and many people like to fish the shallow waters to find them. There is one problem—it is generally illegal in Narragansett Bay, that great body of water that is embraced by the shores of Rhode Island and is the heart of the state. On many days, a great deal of the shore of Narragansett Bay is designated as unsafe for shell fishing, but it happens anyway. In a movement to “Save the Bay,” fisherman, environmentalists, and many business owners dependent on tourism have been working together to make the water safe for the Quahog and the Eel Grass, a key marker of environmental health. The church has even gotten involved in a call for good creation care. Adversity may move many who normally go their own way to work together to preserve the essential elements of life and creation. And in that, God creates community and a striving for the common good in the midst of separate and separated lives. In these moments, I sense in a distinctive way, an expression of the Kingdom of God when something greater than ourselves moves us to have the faith that self-destruction is not inevitable and we even find a greater joy in our new lives in pursuing a transcendent common good; for God will not be denied even in an age that may have a hard time perceiving God.

FISHING WITH JESUS FOR GOD’S KINGDOM Even the Sea of Galilee is imperiled today. Though this kind of concern may not seem to be explicitly on the mind of Jesus, when he calls us to see beyond the surface and the comforts of the present moment, we are literally called into a new kingdom; and not a new kingdom that denies the goodness of the earth, but one that proclaims “the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” (Psalm 24) That call was radical for the first disciples called to put down their nets and their living to go “fishing with Jesus” for the total good body and soul of God’s people. That total good for the individual and the community, that total good in which there is no place in our lives or on this earth that God is not sovereign is the call of the Kingdom of God. It is good news because what we might think was an intractable selfishness that rules our lives or our world is being overthrown by a greater power. The Kingdom of God is near and we are called to turn our hearts and believe it, embrace it and live it. As we do that, many tin gods in our lives and in our society will be cast off their thrones. They will not go without a fight and so we are in spiritual struggle in this life and need the steady head of Jesus Christ to guide us through the struggle to the new promised land of the Kingdom of God in which all things are new- even each of us. And when we experience that, the call comes to share that good news with others.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for January 12 - the 1st Sunday after Epiphany The Baptism of Jesus and our Baptism

“Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he consented.” (Matthew 3:13-15)

ORIGINAL MEANING The public ministry of Jesus begins with his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. John is surprised and believes Jesus should be baptizing him (Mt. 3:14) but this is a time of humble obedience for Jesus looking ahead to his bearing of the sins of the world in his suffering and death. We see the heavens “torn apart” and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Jesus. The voice of God the Father is heard from heaven declaring, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Perhaps in this picture from the Gospel we can understand better why we begin our service with the acclamation, “Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” and why we baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The fullness of God is present at this critical moment of the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Mark’s Gospel does not even give us an account of the birth of Jesus but begins his Gospel there with the Baptism of Jesus.

EXPLORING WHAT IT MEANS TODAY The feast of the Baptism of Jesus is a Sunday when we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism whenever it is possible and it is always a day when we are led to recall our own Baptism and our Baptismal Covenant. For here is a statement of the faith in a historic creed that has reflected core Christian beliefs in a Trinitarian God for centuries. In fact we call the first part of the Baptismal Covenant, the Apostles Creed, because we trace it all the way back to the Apostles. The five promises that follow give us a wise and balanced guide for living the Christian life, continuing in Christian Education, prayer and the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and resisting evil, always returning to the Lord. It is a faith that is always reaching out, “Proclaiming by word and example the Good News of God in Christ” (our parish mission statement). It is grounded in love with a concern for justice, peace and the God-given dignity for every human being. Here is the statement of beliefs and ethics that bind us together as a faith community. It transcends all the divisions of our times and all the labels that would demean or dehumanize. It is a guide for every generation of this parish family and the foundation of our Confirmation program. So it is fitting on this day that we renew our Baptismal Covenant together (p. 292 Book of Common Prayer).

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for January 5, 2014, Epiphany Sunday A God for All People

“The Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6)

FOLLOWING A STAR Do wise men or mad men follow stars on a long journey toward hope, bringing gifts to a new baby? Why should king Herod and “all Jerusalem with him” be frightened of this? Is this star the sign of a profound and frightening change? Does the heart of God shatter boundaries that were a source of security and comfort? All of these questions converge on Epiphany, a curious word which means to reveal boldly. In a time of many gods in many lands, the gods might be pet deities that kings would seek to manipulate for their own power and purposes. A God for all people reigning through an infant King of Kings, who calls shepherds from the fields and wise men from distant lands to a humble stable, is a power that shakes past, present and future. Herod assaults it and we would seek to tame it in a holiday season. Epiphany shatters boundaries and there are few things so threatening in any age.

THE DEEP RELATEDNESS OF LIFE It has been a good service of modern science to remind us how deeply connected all of organic life is. For if we learn how much in common a tree and a human being have at the elemental level, how absurd all racism becomes. How deeply challenged are our casual habits that damage the fabric of life. Why we could follow a star is less of a mystery when we realize we are made of the same elements. We are stardust contemplating the stars. Epiphany reveals the heart of our God in creation and redemption: A redemption that is meant to be universal and is symbolized by the three wise men from a distant land journeying to worship the new born Christ in fellowship with poor shepherds. They probably couldn’t speak the same language but the spiritual language of the heart and soul spoken by angels and stars brings them together. The worship of one God was a great gift the religion of Israel brought to the world and now as Paul observed, “The Gentiles have become fellow heirs.”

EPIPHANY IN A PLURALISTIC AGE Can we respect diversity in our times without surrendering our convictions and genuine faith commitments? It is because I believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and because he taught and modeled a deeply inclusive love that I believe we can and we must. Appropriate respect for people of other faith traditions in a time when religious violence is still too common is only one of our challenges. The drifting values of secularism and the stressful demands of modern life can pull many people away from a relationship with God. Yet we are called to stay in a relationship of respectful love with God and all people, persevering in our own faith, and patiently and creatively finding ways to be instruments of the God who calls through stars and angels and all things in life, for God’s people to be in a loving relationship so that we may truly live. From the precious elements come the gifts of the wise men; Gold for the King of Kings, Frankincense that the air may be filled with God’s worship and Myrrh for anointing in life, and death; anointing all life for God its creator.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 29, the 1st Sunday after Christmas Reborn into the Light

“In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)

“Darkness was cheap and Scrooge liked it.” (A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)

THE EVANGELISTS TELL THE CHRISTMAS STORY IN DIFFERENT WAYS In the Christmas manger scenes in our homes and churches there is a deeply known and loved cast of characters, like the shepherds and angels whose story we hear in Luke’s Gospel. Matthew’s Gospel tells us of the wisemen who follow the star and come bearing gifts but must take a secret route home to avoid the ominous inquiries of King Herod who is filled with fear rather than joy at the birth of the Messiah. The Christmas stories unfold in both light and shadows. In the Gospel of John, we have a unique telling of the Christmas story that focuses sharply on light, life, and rebirth for all who receive Christ in faith. (John 1:1-5)

THE CHRISTMAS STORY OF CHARLES DICKENS Next to the Gospels, the most commonly heard story of Christmas is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Like the Gospel of John, Dickens draws on the imagery of moving from the darkness into the light: “Darkness was cheap and Scrooge liked it.” Deeper into the darkness he goes until Scrooge is encountered by the spirit of his deceased partner, Jacob Marley. This is the first light of possible redemption, but Scrooge pushes it away just as John’s Gospel tells us that the light of Christ was pushed away (John 1:9-12) because “people loved darkness instead of light.” (John 3:19) The light is pushed away by Scrooge as it is by the collective resistant soul described in John’s Gospel because Christmas is not just the story of Christ’s birth, but a call for our rebirth as children of God. “To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

FROM FEAR TO FAITH—SEND FORTH YOUR SPIRIT Scrooge’s resistance is broken at first by fear and not faith. (Dickens’ excerpt, “I must (believe) but why do spirits walk the earth?”) Marley’s admonition draws on the spirit of the Christ who is born at Christmas in the midst of cold and darkness, fear, hatred, injustice and alienation. Our spirits are called to go forth far and wide among God’s broken people with the light that overcomes the darkness (John 1:5, 14, 16), not missing the opportunities of everyday life. (Another excerpt: “Mankind was my business.”) So let your spirit go forth far and wide, born of God as his child, touching the darkness with transforming light and again and again carrying the story that Christ is born.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 25, Christmas The Gifts of Christmas

There was a rather bizarre story in the news this past week—a Middle School in Long Island, NY presented in their holiday concert a version of “Silent Night” that omitted all references to Jesus and Mary. It is no secret that we can easily lose the true meaning of Christmas...so we must continually go back to the Gospel story.

“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah (Christ) the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill among people.’” (Luke 2:8-14)

As Rick Warren writes in his book The Purpose of Christmas: “On the first Christmas night, the angel announced three purposes for the birth of Jesus. Christmas is a time of celebration. Christmas is a time for salvation. Christmas is a time for reconciliation.”

We are celebrating a birthday but more than a birthday, it is God’s message that: God loves us, God is with us (Emmanuel), God is for us. Really the entire reason for Christmas is the love of God. God came to earth as a human so we could have a loving relationship in which we know God, love God, and serve God. God comes to us face to face on Christmas, and this baby in the manger is destined for a life of the greatest teaching and the deepest healing, a cross of sacrificial love and resurrection life that we can all share when we are knocked down by all of our pain and struggles. What a Christmas gift, what a reason for real celebration. But do we know we need a Savior? Rick Warren did a Christmas shopper survey asking the question, “What do you need to be saved from?” The answers were revealing: “From worry,” “From the cost of gas and my debt,” “From people who hurt me,” “From my anger,” “From my past—I can’t seem to let it go,” “From my bad habits,” “From myself.” God’s gift of true salvation is freedom, purpose and a fullness of life that can heal the wounds of the past, find meaning one day at a time in the present and live with hope rather than fear in looking to the future. What a Christmas gift! Receive it in faith.

Christmas is a time for reconciliation. Reconciliation is the restoring of peace: Peace with God, peace with others and peace in our own hearts. They build on each other and our prayers for peace in this holy season can empower us to work for peace when placed in the hands of the living God.

So let’s unwrap the greatest gift of Christmas, Emmanuel, God with us in Jesus Christ: the perfect gift of drawing forth our love for a new born baby at Christmas and the gift that really keeps giving when we grow into a living relationship with the Christ who can be with us always as we grow from childhood magic to a sometimes painful maturity with the passing of each Christmas. We can always return to that first message of the angels: God is love, God is with us, God is for us. There is a deep magic there that calls us to enter the Kingdom of God with the openness of a child in every season of our lives.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 22, the Fourth Sunday of Advent Joseph’s Story and Ours

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” (Matthew 1:20)

MOVING FROM FEAR TO FAITH In every spiritual journey, in every life, there are decisive times in which we must move from fear to faith, if we are to answer God’s call from the heart of life to love: To love even when it is hard, to love even when it is risky and uncertain. Joseph’s story is our story, the challenge to let God be Emmanuel, God with us. Mary’s story is our story, the challenge to let the life of God enter into the heart of our own. A life that can only be conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Joseph and Mary were both afraid. We hear Joseph’s story in Matthew’s Gospel and Mary’s story in Luke’s Gospel. The Angel of the Lord brings both of them the same message, “Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:30) There was good reason to be afraid: The penalty in the Law of Moses for becoming pregnant before marriage, when betrothed to another man, was stoning to death. Joseph must have been having some real nightmares about that when the Angel of the Lord enters into his dream and replaces his nightmare with God’s dream of life made new, and Joseph believed as Mary believed and “he took her as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24) There is a beautiful simplicity to that phrase. Joseph perhaps never fully understood what the birth of his mysterious son to his mysterious wife meant to the world, but he did what he was called to do in love and commitment to a woman and a child as he moved from fear to faith. The miraculous is born in the simplicity of strong and trusting love.

DO WE STILL BELIEVE WE NEED A SAVIOR? The cosmic drama unfolding within the story of Mary and Joseph is well stated in today’s Psalm. “Restore us, O God; let your face shine that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:3,7,19) This phrase is repeated three times in Psalm 80 so we don’t miss its importance, but do we still believe we need a Savior? Understanding and answering this question is the whole purpose of Advent. Just as Easter without Good Friday is stripped of its deepest power and meaning, Christmas without knowing our need of God is a sky filled with commercial neon and the noise of the rush of crowds rather than the heavens filled with the light of God and the song of Angels. What do you want for Christmas?? This is a question that follows us from childhood magic to maturity. Prepare, prepare and when Christmas shopping is part of that preparation, remember to fill the empty stocking of Jesus Christ with the best gift of Christmas.

The faith that moves us from fear to love that our heart may be a place where Christ can be born anew each year. Everything will be changed, everything will be made better by that gift.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 15, the Third Sunday of Advent Jesus the Healer

“Go tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have good news brought to them.” (Matthew 11:4-5)

Our Old Testament reading from the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel today speak with one voice in proclaiming healing as one of the primary signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God among us. Jesus is known in his healing ministries of body, mind and spirit and if we include the healing of relationships, healing is the defining ministry of Jesus. It is raised up as a sign of hope in the season of expectant hope that is Advent. A sign that beckons to so much that is broken, longing to be whole.

HENRY’S STORY Some years ago, I served as Vicar of St. Ann’s Church for the Deaf in New York City. There was much that was meaningful to me in the ministry of those years but its primary purpose was revealed to me to be the training of my successor who served as Vicar of St. Ann’s for over 17 years. Henry Buzzard was a man with Ushers Syndrome, a condition in which one is both deaf and blind like Helen Keller, and I found Henry to be equally gifted having been one of the very few people in the country with that condition to have earned a Masters Degree. Henry came to me and said, “I must serve God because God has been giving me back my sight for that purpose.” Henry had recently had an operation that had substantially improved his vision and his life, although he was still legally blind. I was struck by many things; Henry’s vision of God at work in faith and medicine was really a witness for our times and his experience of healing as a call to discipleship closely mirrored some of the most dynamic healing stories of the Gospel (Mk 10:46-52) As Henry learned to lead worship, preach and relate the faith to his already strong ministry in the community, he was on the road to being ordained to the priesthood for a very special ministry. Henry is now at the end of his life with the peace and satisfaction of knowing that he faithfully responded to God’s call. In this is the wholeness that all souls long for. I now see Henry’s story and witness as being even more than an inspiration to others with the challenge of overcoming disabilities, although Henry very much sought to do that and I believe did that well. What I also see from the perspective of the end of his earthly life is that the soul’s work is directed by a vision and hearing that transcends the physical: a vision and receptiveness of the heart that Jesus was pointing to IN EVERY ACT OF HEALING, signs of the Kingdom of God among us and within us.

THE HEALING MINISTRIES CONTINUE I see in the advance of medicine often carried out in hospitals named St. Luke’s, Good Samaritan and Mount Sinai, the advance of God’s healing ministry. I see in the growing ethic of accessibility in architecture, communication, and education, a compassion and just empowerment that is rooted in Gospel values. Yet are we becoming increasingly blind to the hand of God in all of this, seeing it as a matter of human technical competence but failing to see the struggles that advance our vocations to deepest maturity through faith in the living God who builds healing into life itself and gives us the ethical vision of the dignity and potential of every human being. Is there a growing blindness that cries out for healing? Prepare the way of the Lord— the Lord named Emmanuel, God with us now…..…in all things. Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 8, the Second Sunday of Advent Prepare the Way of the Lord

“On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples.” (Isaiah 11:10)

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Mt. 3:3)

THE LONG ROAD OF SALVATION HISTORY Our Old Testament reading from the prophet Isaiah points us to the image of the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree that our Church School children prepared is a great symbol and icon of our story of salvation as told in the Scriptures. Jesse was the father of King David and it was from this family tree that Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus was descended. The symbols of the Jesse Tree look back even further than Jesse, all the way to the beginning of the biblical story: Adam and Eve, the Tree of Life, Noah and the Flood, Abraham and the Patriarchs, Moses and the Prophets, King David and the lineage leading to Joseph, the Angels who come to Mary who receives their message with faith, God’s Word which will carry that faith to every future generation represented in the symbol of “The Builders” called to continue building Christ’s Church— Builders who are reminded by God’s Word that “No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11)

THE MINISTRY OF THE BUILDERS The true meaning of Christmas is well disguised if not obliterated in our culture, so each new generation must carry the story to our children of the Good News of the coming of Jesus: a story that shapes lives, young and old, that can experience Emmanuel—a name which means “God is with us.” A God whose comfort and compassion reaches across the generations and is to us a power that is not just a warm remembrance of a story of the past but life-giving values that shape the present and the future. We share with joy the blessings of the season even as we acknowledge with courage how far we still have to go to embrace the message of “Peace on Earth.” Joined together, that joy and courage moved with compassion creates a stronger spirit of giving that is not just for this season but a touch of God’s Kingdom and God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven.

We cannot wait until December 25th to begin but even now we “Prepare the Way of the Lord” by entering into a prayerful experience of God’s Word and the ministry of sharing so that the path of Advent leads us to the cradle where Christ can be born anew in each of our hearts.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for December 1, the First Sunday of Advent Be Ready “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation.” (Isaiah 2:5) “Therefore you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” (Matthew 24:44)

ADVENT 2013 In the midst of so many holiday activities, sometimes too hurried, “Keep awake” may be what we say to ourselves at the end of a busy day with still one more thing to do in the evening. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, - which has its own remarkable biblical story - and the New Year, are all meant to be happy times. Why does a day we call “Black Friday” stand at the gateway and news stories with the anxious message of possible lower consumer spending make us wonder if this is the season to be jolly? Would greater simplicity really be so bad for us?

O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL The haunting melody of O Come Emmanuel moves our heart to a different place—a mysterious magic and hope that reminds us the counter-cultural experience of Advent in the Church is something to be very grateful for. The color blue moves us to a place somewhere in between pure violet penitence and the white of celebration—a place of contemplation in the midst of the noise and haste, where the hard reality of want is met by the joy of giving. And we might find that our most cherished memories of the Christmas season are in special and poignant times of giving. This is how it is meant to be in the season of Emmanuel-God with us. Keep awake. Be ready. God is here now.

IN THE END—GOD The scripture readings on the First Sunday of Advent are filled with apocalyptic images of the coming of God—a bracing reminder that in the end, the reality of God will overshadow everything else in the world that claims such urgency and importance. “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down.” (Is. 64:1) Come down and remind us of what really matters. Well, God does tear open the heavens and come down. We name this coming as Jesus Christ. And in walking closely with him in this holy season, we can find a life of meaning being gently shaped as the hand of the potter shapes the clay into the masterwork God means it to be.

O come Emmanuel and bring… * Steps of hope toward your vision of peace. * Songs to our hearts and to broken or empty hearts needing songs. * Banquets to the hungry. * Gifts, gifts from wise men who brave the journey to the place where the gifts are most needed. O come Emmanuel—God with us… Keep awake… Be ready… God is here. Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for November 24, the Last Sunday after Pentecost What kind of King? What kind of power?

“Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:43) THE KING WHO REIGNS FROM A CROSS The age of kings seems to be long past. The kings that are left in our world don’t tend to have much real power having been replaced by Prime Ministers and Parliaments: Yet to call Christ our Prime Minister or Chief Executive probably leaves our religious imaginations cold. We long for a greater depth of power, but what is it? What kind of power? A STUNNING POWER OF FORGIVENESS Jesus says from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Who was Jesus forgiving? A few brutal soldiers who just imagined themselves to be “doing their job”? If we were to imagine Good Friday as an Agatha Christie murder mystery asking the question, “Who killed Jesus?” the list of suspects would be very long. We would begin with the decision makers, perhaps continue with the apostles who had betrayed, denied and deserted Jesus, add in the crowd who called for his death, and perhaps wonder why this was somehow the will of the Father? The uncomprehending secular age we live in could be included as an accessory. So let’s round up the suspects and see what we learn. Everyone is puzzled that they have been forgiven, most don’t think they need it. The depth of Jesus’ forgiveness was and is vast and a mystery and a challenge for us yet it is the King’s power that overturns our view of power. THE BATTLING CRIMINALS AND THE VISION OF PARADISE Jesus is crucified in between two criminals and they get into a big argument. One calls for Jesus to show that he really is a King in the way the world views a King. Bring in the rescue operation, get us out of here. The other, who tradition names as St. Dismas, says you are a fool and we are sinners getting what we deserve, Jesus is innocent. Then he sees a vision of faith and he calls to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus in a demonstration of the power of his mercy and his responsiveness to faith says, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” THE KING’S POWER TO CHANGE LIVES St. Dismas is the patron of prison ministries and so this Gospel makes me think back to my Bible Study class at the jail last Tuesday. There was a very poignant moment when one of the men said, “I know when I get out I am just going to get back into trouble.” The room was silent and I thought, “This could be a good discussion.” So, layer by layer we looked at the sense shared by many men in the jail that there is a dark, unseen force that is in control of their lives that they can’t do anything about. We discussed what keeping better company in a faith community, seeking education and recovery programs, and working to heal shattered relationships might do to help build a better life. This was a vision of paradise from their perspective, obstructed by a sense in themselves and sometimes the wider society that they were no good and didn’t deserve it. Well, what a friend we have in Jesus, calling us in a Baptismal Covenant to respect the dignity of every human being beginning with our own. Turn to him in faith, embrace this and lives are changed. I believe in the power of the King who can change lives, and don’t we all in some way need that. This King reigns forever in wondrous love and a challenging call to discipleship, which will turn upside down our view of power.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for November 3, All Saints Sunday Called to be Children of God

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners —of whom I am the worst.” (St. Paul’s Epistle, 1 Timothy 1:15)

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:1)

BEHIND THE STAINED GLASS In churches throughout the world the saints are enshrined in stained glass windows. Their appearance seems other worldly, beyond human struggle and weakness. They tell us a different story in their own words. St. Paul who wrote a major portion of the New Testament declares himself to be the worst of sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15) St. Peter, the leader of the apostles, deserts and denies Jesus during his passion and tells Jesus when they first meet, “Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8) Jesus already knows the state of humanity and calls Peter despite his weaknesses. This is how God works with all of us, calling us in love “just as we are” knowing that in Christ we can be made new. We can be made children of God.

WE ARE CALLED AS A COMMUNITY St. Paul uses the term “saints” to address entire communities of believers (Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi) and teaches through Scripture that it is diverse people with diverse gifts, working together in love for the common good, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that makes us into “The Body of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12 and 13) This is a calling even more awesome than being an “individual” saint: For a saint can come to share increasingly in God’s vision of the good of the whole community.

A CALL TO BLESSEDNESS FROM JESUS Our Gospel today consists of a set of teachings by Jesus called “The Eight Beatitudes”. His first call to blessedness, “Blessed are the poor in spirit (those who know their need of God—NEB) for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven,” is essential to all that follows; rather than trying to be a spiritual muscleman who towers above all others, we humbly ask God in prayer to reveal our gifts and guide us in using them in His service. In response to our prayers, God will work through us great works of mercy and comfort, peacemaking and righteousness that will bring our lives and our faith communities closer to His kingdom.

CALLED TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD Each new life, each celebration of Baptism is a special sign of God’s Kingdom—the gift of new beginnings and new hope. Perhaps, the biggest challenge and opportunity of our lives is to grow in love by learning to love as God loves with a deep patience, faithful companionship and wise guidance. Our lives are so enriched by our children and the Baptismal Covenant that brings us together to bless them and celebrate God’s blessing.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for October 27, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost Confident in God’s Mercy

“God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

WHERE DO WE PLACE OUR CONFIDENCE? In our culture, much of the time we consider confidence to be a good and helpful quality but in today’s Gospel, the boasting Pharisee is usually viewed as being unlikable and even obnoxious. What’s the problem? The first verse leads us to the heart of the problem: “Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt.” (Lk. 18:9) Pride that builds itself on the perceived failing of others, and even seems to require it, is inevitably destructive. Untarnished justice and righteousness are characteristics of God alone. Walking humbly with our God, we can share in God’s goodness and love and share in God’s own work on earth but the “power and the glory” belong first and last to God. It is shocking to believe that good works can become sin, but this Gospel points to a potentially dangerous pattern in our nature rather than just the religious boasting of one Pharisee. We all really do have, in the wise words of our Ash Wednesday Service, a continual need to be “put in the mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.” (BCP p. 265) The problem with the Pharisee is that he thinks that he is his own savior. No one can be, no matter how many good works we do—lest in the blindness of pride, those good works be turned into weapons of judgment against others and damage our own soul as well.

God’s justice is seasoned, balanced and mysteriously incarnated with God’s mercy—the ever present chant of Amazing Grace which helps us learn from our sins rather than die in them, if we truly turn to God for help. What do we learn? - the wonders of God’s grace, compassion for the failings of others and the unique wisdom of experiencing that it is possible to break destructive patterns and find a new way of living. Maybe then, God can even use us to be a help to others. This has been the wisdom of 12 step groups. This is the confidence in God’s mercy that the tax collector is learning and as Jesus says, he is the one who goes home right with God.

MADE RIGHT WITH GOD FOR WHAT END? Through the lens of Luke’s spiritual imagination, I see the tax collector walking home. He sees a man robbed, beaten and bloody, lying in a ditch. Seeing others pass him, afraid for many reasons, the tax collector has a deepened sense of compassion and in experiencing God’s forgiveness knows he himself has just been pulled out of a ditch by the grace of God. In this new vision of faith he goes to the wounded man’s aid. Such is the cycle of amazing grace as our prayers for mercy bear fruit in deeds of mercy and we hear the voice of Jesus saying, “go and do likewise.” (Lk. 10:37)

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for October 13, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost Thankful for 175 Years in God’s Service

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.” (Psalm 111:1)

The history of our church is built on stories of faith, hope, and love entwined. I am thankful for the great act of faith of the Rev. Henry Aisquith in resigning as Rector of St. Margaret’s, Annapolis to serve the newly founded St. Stephen’s-Severn Parish at its founding in 1838. He went on to serve until 1852 bringing a ministry that was described at its founding as an “uncertain missionary venture” to a place where it has served this region for 175 years.

The example of our first Rector of faith in the midst of adversity and challenges would need to be followed in the decades after his death when the Civil War “divided parish families and broke up the congregation.” The major economic changes after the Civil War had a profound impact on the region and the parish but with substantial aid from the Diocese of Maryland, St. Stephen’s continued its ministry and even began to grow again. By the 1890’s, a new stage of development began supported by the generosity and good counsel of James Woodward.

Grieving the untimely death at age 25 of a much beloved daughter, Edith Woodward, the Woodward family built Woodward Hall (1898), still in use today, and gave us the Celtic Cross Memorial which stands as a powerful symbol of faith between the original church and the original Parish Hall. The memorial plaque in Woodward Hall includes a powerful scripture lesson that still speaks to us today, “Unless the Lord build the home, their labor is but lost that build it.” (Psalm 127:1)

It is focus and commitment to the Lord’s work that sustains a church through prosperity and adversity. This points us to the spiritual witness of our patron, St. Stephen.

ST. STEPHEN, THE FIRST DEACON As I consider the strongest influence the spirit of St. Stephen brings to our ministry, I think of St. Stephen as Deacon (servant ministry). Over the years to the present and into the future we have often been at our best in working together to serve the needs of others: the ministry of My Brother’s Keeper, the Crofton Christian Caring Council, 10 years of the Appalachian Service Project, the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society, our new Children’s Ministry, all point to the enduring legacy of the spirit of St. Stephen, the Deacon whose service is witnessed in the words of the Prayer of St. Francis that we said together last week as we gathered in the outdoor St. Francis Chapel— “IT IS GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE.” This prayer is for us and our children. As I was told by our new Pre-School/Kindergarten Church School teacher a couple weeks ago, “Today we taught them about sharing.”

Today I am thankful for the acts of faith, hope and love that build and sustain our sharing in the ministry of Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for October 6, the 20th Sunday after Pentecost Faith and Servanthood

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed...” (Lk. 17:6)

WHERE DO WE PLANT THE SEED? Jesus compares faith to a very small seed, a mustard seed, knowing that it is not the size of the seed that matters but where we plant it and how well we nurture it so it can grow.

Planted in the rich soil of our BLESSINGS, it brings a harvest of praise and thanksgiving for God’s good gifts and the love to share them.

Planted in the desert of ADVERSITY, we are moved to seek God even in the desert and find that the desert blooms with wisdom and compassion for human suffering and the godly love to minister to it.

Faith is not blind but a new vision of the heart. Faith in Christ can bring focus, discipline, perseverance and a creative life that can give new hope and direction to our lives.

Faith DOES move mountains: mountains of fear, mountains of doubt and paralysis, mountains of perplexity. Aren’t these the mountains we need to move? Aren’t these the miracles we really seek?

God has planted good gifts in all our lives: an act of faith in us and love for us. Let us respond to God’s faith in us with faith, hope, and love made alive and active in SERVANTHOOD.

SIGNS OF MINISTRY FOR GOD’S SERVANTS Jesus closes the teaching of today’s Gospel with a saying that is at once, humble perspective and a call to service. “We are unworthy servants, we have only done our duty.” (Lk. 17:9)

What are the ministries of the servant’s duty?

I offer three signs: 1) The Bible—Our ministry of prayer, worship and Christian Education is centered here. 2) A Loaf of Bread—Jesus said, “When I was hungry you gave me food to eat.” (Mt. 25:35) Bread is a good central symbol of our ministries of compassionate service done in the name of Jesus, who is the “Bread of Life.” (Jn. 6) 3) A Green Plant—We are called to “Serve Christ in all Creation” taking good care, in the words of our Eucharistic Prayer today, “this fragile earth our island home.” Life began in a garden of harmony that we name EDEN. In Christ we are called to return to that harmony with God and each other.

All of this is good STEWARDSHIP of our life— body, mind, and soul—and the good earth entrusted to us in the time of our stewardship.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 29, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost In Search of Wise Compassion

“Between you and us a great chasm has been fixed.” Luke 16:26

THE GREAT CHASM It is a chilling line in today’s Gospel, “Between you and us a great chasm has been fixed.” How true it is. There are great and painful chasms between nations, classes, races, religions—sometimes even with members of our own family. I want to ask the question: “Who did the fixing of the chasm?” For centuries many prejudices have been justified by claiming that God created various kinds of separation as a natural order of creation but a correct understanding of biblical religion will show that this is not true. Jesus Christ is the bridge over all chasms. (see Ephesians Ch. 2-4) We are the makers of chasms. Christ is the bridge and a major part of our spiritual journey is learning to cross those bridges. Today’s Gospel dramatizes the chasm between rich and poor and the high spiritual price of indifference.

IN SEARCH OF A WISE COMPASSION I greatly value our work and leadership in the Crofton Christian Caring Council. We do have a pretty thorough and professional process of screening requests and disbursing funds. Whether the need is for rent or utility payments, food from the food bank, supplies from the baby pantry and sometimes even response to medical needs, we respond with both compassion and a careful eye on good stewardship of limited resources. I am aware that there is a larger cluster of needs and issues at work in the lives of the many people we serve. The best response to the problems of periodic or chronic poverty are many and varied and Christians of good conscience can have differing views on what the best response might be. We are always in search of a wise compassion and must always support our ministries of service with a strong life of prayer for guidance. There is a time when we simply must hold out our hand with “daily bread”. There are other times we must consider educational, job training or counseling needs. It can be complex but what is clear, ethically, is that for Christians, INDIFFERENCE IS NOT AN OPTION. Indifference is the state that sends the rich man to the heart of hell in today’s Gospel. Why?

LUST OF POSSESION WORKETH DESOLATION It is an insightful line from one of our old hymns “Lust of possession worketh desolation.”

It is sometimes said that we live in “a culture of narcissism” - a self absorption that builds chasms and makes us insensitive to the needs of others. There is great damage to the soul in this way of life. The challenge our faith must make to our times is the message that we are spiritual beings with a soul and the ancient and eternal scriptural values of justice, righteousness, peace and compassion are the touchstones of not only a life worth living in this world but also pathways to our state in eternity. Unlike the tragic characters in today’s Gospel, we have been told by someone who has risen from the dead.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 22, the 18th Sunday after Pentecost Serving God with Our Resources

“You cannot serve God and wealth.” Luke 16:13

GIVING, THE SACRED ART This is the name of a book by Lauren Tyler Wright that I have been studying as part of my own stewardship education. She brings a rich, insightful and creative view to a subject we may find dry or even scary.

“ When practiced consistently and intentionally, giving can become a spiritual discipline and, even more, a sacred art. When we practice giving regularly, and understand that our motivation has some connection outside of ourselves (the Living God), we have the opportunity to radically transform our lives, the life of another person, even the lives of entire communities.”

Wright unfolds the many dimensions of giving:

· Giving as Worship: responding to God’s generosity with joyful gratitude · Giving as Stewardship: managing our abundance · Giving as Holy Obligation: transforming identity through discipline · Giving as Redemption: restoring money as life-giving tender (This is an important look at moving from the dark, oppressive side of money to the light, life-giving creative side, leading us to a deeper understanding of how money functions as a spiritual power in our lives.) · Giving as Charity: providing for the needy with compassion (A fundamental biblical teaching.) · Giving as Justice: believing in and working toward righteous equality (“Understanding and solving the causes of hunger, the causes of homelessness, the causes of illiteracy.”)

The Life of Stewardship is no easy road but it is fundamental to the calling of a church. We are continually reminded of who created us, why we are here and what our destiny in eternity is meant to be. It lives in our worship of the living God. It lives in our regular discovery of God’s Word—Christian Education for all ages. It lives in the many ways we can serve others. It lives in the ministries of St. Stephen’s Church. So please grow in your giving for the sake of our Lord and his service and for the sake of God’s vision for our parish.

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 15, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost The Greatest Gift of All

The headline appeared on my computer last year: “Physicist Stephen Hawking declares that God did not create the universe.” I was at first annoyed because I appreciate science and have respected the work of Stephen Hawking and other cosmologists. When I discovered that the story behind headline was nothing more than one more version of “philosophical materialism” (the view that all there is in the universe is the material), I was, again, very thankful that in our Anglican faith tradition there have been, since Isaac Newton, and continue to be, many great theologian-scientists who teach of the complementary role science and religion play in understanding our world (see A CATECHISM OF CREATION), bringing us a richer and more meaningful life, where true intelligence finds its depth in wisdom, ethics, and the mystical poetry that could lead St. Francis of Assisi to sing of brother sun, sister moon, and mother earth. It does take faith to look at nature and see creation, and a heart of prayer to know that the common can be made holy. I am reminded that my family regularly thanks God for our meals, well aware of the role Safeway and my wife Berney and other members of the family play in its preparation. There is a wisdom in thankfulness, remembering how the blessings of our lives depend on the work and gifts of many people - seen and unseen - and seeing with eyes of faith the hand of God in the fruits of the earth and the daily wonder of cooperative work for the common good. This simple faith that is crucial in shaping ethics, turns our eyes to each other with greater empathy and to God’s Creation with, in the words of our Baptism service, “The gift of joy and wonder in all your works.” This is the faith we teach our children as we begin another year of Church School.

THE INCREDIBLE GOD WHO CALLS US EACH BY NAME I thank God that this world is not just a heartless machine that rolls on without concern for the living and dying of its billions of people. The stunning story Jesus tells in our Gospel today is the God of creation who values every life and sends his shepherds to search for even one lost sheep because God has an enduring and searching love for those in greatest need. The same God who calls us each by name.

THE GOD OF AMAZING GRACE St. Paul’s first letter to Timothy, our second reading today, is in miniature a spiritual autobiography and one of Scripture’s great testimonies of God’s Amazing Grace. “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.” (1:15-16) This passage is clearly speaking to all of us making God’s Word a living Word. A God of good creation calls us by name and seeks us when we are lost, and brings us back with “utmost patience” to be his beloved community, living in a life–giving faith.

Is there anything more important than that for us and our children?

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 8, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost The Family of God

“Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:7-8)

How do we maintain consistency between this New Testament teaching and the shocking sayings of Jesus in today’s Gospel? Perhaps not easily, but we are shown the need to approach the Bible within the Anglican tradition of using tradition and reason as well the text of all of Scripture itself for interpretation.

The tradition of our faith as embodied in our marriage service and the several options of Scripture readings for this sacrament show a strong support for marriage and family. It is Jesus who says, “What God has put together let no one put asunder,” and “Let the children come unto me for to them belong the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:9, 14)

Judeo-Christian ethics of family responsibility held for centuries are the basis of what we now regard as “common sense.” Indeed it was the appeal of a strong family life and fidelity in marriage that was a key factor in early Christianity becoming an increasingly popular choice over the chaos of pagan ethics in the Greco- Roman world. We are who we are now in large part because of this. Even non-believers are shaken by infidelity and irresponsible behavior toward children in a secular age because the compelling good of Judeo- Christian family ethics became normative in society. We do not give that away under any interpretation.

So how are we to understand this Gospel?

RABBINICAL HYPERBOLE Jesus uses many rabbinical techniques of teaching—the bracing, attention-getting tool of “hyperbole” being among them: We are taught to cut off our hands and feet or pluck out an eye rather than letting them lead us into sin (Mk. 9:47) because the power of sin is so destructive to all of life.

In today’s Gospel, in a jarring way, we are taught that loyalty to Christ exceeds all others. If we are surrounded by family members who do not have faith, do we give up our own for the sake of “getting along”? No, better to witness to the faith with prayerful love and patience in the hope that those we love may not be cut off from life’s greatest treasure. There is a cost of discipleship in every generation. Centuries ago it may have been persecution and even death. Today it may be a subtle or not so subtle ridicule or isolation from the camaraderie of popular culture. Christ wants us to have family and be family but he empowers a family of faith that transcends bloodlines and nationalities and continues to be a challenge in the 21st century. (Mt. 12:48)

God always wants something better for us and it is God’s love that makes all love possible and grounds all loyalty in a life-giving ethic that makes “all things new” - even each of us, our marriages, our families, our friendships, our citizenship. Why not seek the best? Wouldn’t it make for a better world?

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for September 1, the 15th Sunday after Pentecost Signs of God’s Kingdom

“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1-2)

GOD’S KINGDOM OF SIMPLICITY

How do you imagine God’s Kingdom? An emerald city in the sky? A heavenly home shrouded in clouds after death? Perhaps a great and wondrous mystery in this life and the next? That is what my faith senses.

Jesus uses very down to earth images as he teaches in parables about the Kingdom of God. (Mt. 13, Lk. 8) The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, a loaf of bread, a net of fish, a field of grain. There is often struggle, for it is clear that God’s Kingdom and God’s Values are radically opposed to the way of self- absorption in this world. Yet, the kingdom will grow despite the impact of sin and the obstacles of Satan, and will clearly triumph in the end.

THE SIGN OF A NEW TABLE FELLOWSHIP

Jesus is criticized for eating with “tax collectors and sinners.” (Lk. 15) His response is, “I am glad you noticed for such is the Kingdom of God, a new table fellowship, a new community.” Jesus gave to us a sacrament instituted at a table of fellowship at the Last Supper. Simple bread and wine that brings his living presence back to us when we observe his command to “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Lk. 22:19)

The table is ready and we are asked to seek not the places of honor but the lower places so that we may open the table to others– to hear their stories, to respond to their needs, and to welcome their gifts for ministry. Our message is to be “there is a place at the table for you.” In this is the frontier and challenge of church growth. There is a genuine humility in this that we are called to, to have a teachable and listening heart.

The call is to all of us no matter what season that we may be in our life and faith.

For “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Father Hagerman

Homily Highlights for August 25, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost Jesus invites us to healing

“And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years.” (Luke 13:11)

WHAT KIND OF SPIRIT CRIPPLES US

The ailment of the woman who is healed in today’s Gospel may have been of body, mind or spirit. Perhaps all three. Spiritual causes were thought to lie behind many physical ailments in the time of Jesus. Jesus always wished to heal the whole person and ultimately to mend a broken creation.

I will never forget a great church musician named Jeff who was hit by a drunk driver and paralyzed.

After a difficult time of regaining strength, Jeff gathered a Bible study and prayer group around him in his newly designed home. I was privileged to be part of that group and invited Jeff to come and speak at my church at conference on healing and accessibility. Jeff displayed a great spirit that had not been crippled through loss. A spirit of God’s power shined through him and was an inspiration to many. He was called on to caution young people about drunk driving in many school assemblies but he also gave a testimony on the healing power of Christ which enabled him to forgive the one who had caused the accident. That was not always what school officials were expecting—perhaps like Jesus in today’s Gospel—Jeff, upsetting an established order to point to a new path of healing.

THE SABBATH OF HEALING

The conflict in today’s Gospel reflects a view of the Sabbath that had in itself become crippling.

Jesus challenged this and proclaims God’s new season of healing for all who turn and believe the Good News. The challenge is profound. Jesus sets a keynote in his ministry that is developed in St. Paul’s Epistles. The ritual and moral law can be good and even holy, but without the opportunity to turn by God’s grace for healing, the law by itself simply becomes our executioner in a world filled with imperfect people. Deep inside, by God’s Spirit, we know this….as have many seekers of God through the ages.

The Sabbath service is further disrupted in today’s Gospel when “the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that Jesus was doing.”

The gift is for us as well: Turn to Christ for healing whenever and wherever that is needed. Be the instrument of His healing love when the path is opened and rejoice, REJOICE at all the wonderful things that Jesus is doing.

Father Hagerman

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