Let Us Pay Attention

Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. (Hebrews 2:1)

Every day is an opportunity to encounter God. God communicates with us through the various activities of our daily life. The mystery of God's incarnation and manifestation makes God present as we think, love, struggle and even when we fail. God is present when we rejoice and when we suffer. God is there when we hurt and God is present when we need to heal.

When life really does stink, we can get lost into thinking that God is no longer present or listening. Yet, even when we do not think God is near, God is even more present. When we ask God to reveal God's Self, God does in ways that are sometimes a mystery, other times it is either all too clear or not clear enough. One thing never changes about God though, and that is how much God loves us and delights in us and is with us in God's Son, Jesus Christ by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

We need to pay attention to how God is speaking in our day. In the trial of Proposition 8 where Marriage Equality is struggling to be set free from ballot initiatives and court justices. Yet, those who oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage are all too content to be the barrier to others being married and allowed to live in legally committed relationships. Many such people live in dysfunctional relationships of their own, yet they have the time and the so called "duty" to keep others from being happily married and enjoying equal protection under the law. God is talking, but it can be hard to understand what God is saying through all of the technical legal talk and court briefs. What might God be saying to LGBT people? How might we pay attention to God during such events?

The struggle to free the LGBT citizens of Uganda remains a difficult struggle. We still have yet to hear a public statement condemning Uganda's anti-homosexuality bill from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Recently there was a statement that Canterbury may accept the Anglican Church of North America (ANCA) into the Anglican Communion. Such moves seem to be such a slap in the face for the hard work of the Episcopal Church that has worked so hard to open it's doors to LGBT people in all levels of it's ministry and membership. What might God be saying to us in these events? How do we need to pay attention to the message of God's incarnate Word who manifests God's presence to everyone?

How is God communicating with us in our relationships? How is God communicating with and through us in our activism, work, our addiction recovery or struggles with the economy? How do we need to pay attention to the message of Jesus Christ so that we do not let it drift away from us?

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen (Collect for the First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of the Lord, Book of Common Prayer, Page 214)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (A Collect for Guidance, Book of Common Prayer, Page 100).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, Page 815).