Fundamental Promises

Monday, July 29, 2008 -- Week of Proper 12
Mary and Martha of Bethany

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 977)
Psalms 56, 57, [58] (morning) 64, 65 (evening)
Joshua 24:16-33
Romans 16:1-16
Matthew 27:24-31

We are back at Shechem, where Joshua addresses the people. "Choose this day whom you will serve," he has challenged them. Will they serve the other gods, the gods of the lands, or will they serve the God who has brought them out of bondage in Egypt and fought with them through the struggle into their promised inheritance? The people profess their loyalty to God. But Joshua reminds them how hard it will be.

Joshua offers three actions to structure Israel's commitment: a covenant, a book of the law, and a stone witness as a ritual reminder.

This Sunday our congregation will transfer the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) to Sunday and let it serve for us as a Baptismal feast. We will renew the covenant that each of us made at our Baptisms and reaffirmed at our Confirmations. The Baptismal Covenant (Book of Common Prayer, p. 304) begins with our proclamation of the Triune God whom we serve, articulated through the Apostles' Creed. It continues with the description of the Christian life in the form of five questions that outline the essence of our rule of life. The font, the place of the waters of new birth, serves as a witness reminding us always of the gift and promises that have incorporated us into the Body of Christ. (We keep holy water in the font and place it near the entrance to the chancel so that those who approach the sanctuary may remember their baptisms ritually by touching the water and signing themselves with the cross.)

Our baptismal actions are not unlike those of Joshua and Israel. It is a good thing to remember who we are and whose we are and to renew our identity and promises.

We commit ourselves to the God whom we have known as One God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We commit ourselves to a rule of life:
...to continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers,
...to persevere in resisting evil, and whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord,
...to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ,
...to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourself,
...to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

As the congregation before Joshua proclaimed, "We will serve the Lord," so our congregation will answer the questions which place our commitments before us, "I will with God's help."

It is a good thing to remind ourselves regularly of our identity and our calling.

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Lowell

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Audio podcast: Listen to an audio podcast of the most recent Morning Reflections from today and the past week. Click the following link: Morning Reflection Podcasts

About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas