Remember back in the day when the trending question was “WJD, What would Jesus do?” I could be wrong, but it seemed we communally cared about the values and life of a living Gospel and living into that Gospel. Christian or not our attention was drawn to a God whose authority we sought with moral intention. Not to say there wasn’t evil or war in the world, or the harshness of injustice in community, driven by our institutions riddled with racism, bigotry, sexism, classism and more, but we sought to be better. We cared enough to want better not only for our own generation, but for generations to follow.
Without question my heart aches deeply for our nation and our world who struggle to find God in the midst of earthly chaos, and instead settle for instant comfort in power and greed, neglecting the tender care of all of God’s creation. My ache is shared with Christians, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims and Jews around the world. Even those who choose not to believe in God at all, weep with me over our lost way. I lament, once we strove to be better.
When I was in marketing and sales for the health and wellness industry, before GPS systems and Google Maps, I carried paper maps in my car. I even had maps that were in books and broken down by county. I was sure to find my way, no matter how far I wandered, toward my destination. Sure on some sunny days, I went off road abit for my long needed conversations with God, but always came back and recalculated as I headed toward my final destination. No longer in sales, I still like long drives, especially those where I wander some. The difference today is that my Google Maps and I argue. She says turn left, and I’m like, nah – not gonna do it, and this goes on for awhile until I return to my route and quiet resumes.
The Magi didn’t have maps or gps or google, they had a star. They had a star in which to follow to lead them to the King of Kings, Jesus Christ and then they had a decision, a decision between two kings. Go back and worship Herod or worship Jesus the new born king, the son of God? They chose Jesus.
As we are navigating our lives, we too have a similar decision. Are we followers of God the incarnate, the God who became man to live and dwell among us or are we followers of man who author themselves a king?
Jesus, the Messiah, the hope, the light, the Christ has given us the gifts of grace, mercy and love. Do we pay it forward? Do we look upon our neighbor and give the same?
When we worship, are we worshipping peace, love and justice or do we worship money, power and things? When we break bread do we pass it along to everyone, or just a chosen few? Do we act and make decisions from a place of love or do we react from a place of fear? Do we share in our abundance or hold back in scarcity?
As a priest and member of the Episcopal Church, I am grateful for my Baptismal Covenant, which provides a guide, a map, like a shining star in the sky that leads my every decision back to Christ. No, I’m surely not perfect. I still wander from time to time, but certainly I strive every day to be better, to do better.
Next week we will renew our covenant at the Baptism of our Lord, but I refer to it every day, and encourage you to do the sme, especially in times of decision and discernment so we may not wander too far from Christ Jesus.
Perhaps, like a GPS the world needs a little recalculating to set it once again on the right course, to want to strive to be and do better, and perhaps we can offer that to our friends and neighbors and loved ones as we remind ourselves and recalculate our lives setting our face on God.
The Baptismal Covenant
| Celebrant: | Do you believe in God the Father? |
| People: | I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. |
| Celebrant: | Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? |
| People: | I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. |
| Celebrant: | Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? |
| People: | I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. |
| Celebrant: | Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? |
| People: | I will, with God’s help. |
| Celebrant: | Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? |
| People: | I will, with God’s help. |
| Celebrant: | Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? |
| People: | I will, with God’s help. |
| Celebrant: | Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? |
| People: | I will, with God’s help. |
| Celebrant: | Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? |
| People: | I will, with God’s help. |
With Peace and In Christ, Mo. Allison+
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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