Almost two decades ago, the United Church of Christ began an identity campaign with the tag line, “God is still speaking,” It ends with a comma. It’s not a misprint, but an invitation. An invitation to hear, to sense, to feel, and to respond to the voice of God speaking here and now.
God speaks to our hearts and minds constantly. Sometimes subtle and alluring, sometimes more obviously and urgently. Always inviting, reminding, and calling us to let go of our fear of the unknown, to trust in the God who (as the shepherds reported) does what God promises, who comes alongside us to repent and be baptized, and shows us how to love and live fully.
Today’s readings are full of God’s voice.
In the first verses of Genesis, the first words God utters are,” Let there be light.” From nothing, God’s voice brings into being light; and calls it good. Because there is light, we can see all of creation. And we know what dark is: the hope of the dawn and the brightness of stars in the night sky.
Psalm 29 sings of the fearsome power and splendor of the voice of the Lord. A voice that thunders, that breaks enormous cedar trees, that shakes the earth so that the mountains skip. That same magnificent holy voice splits flames of fire, causes water to break forth into flood, and pronounces a blessing of peace.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Paul teaches about baptism by the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that swept over the waters at Creation, the voice of God calling all things into being. After baptism in the name of Jesus, the disciples at Ephesus begin speaking and prophesying with the power of the Holy Spirit.
And, most central on this feast day, Mark tells of the baptism of Jesus by John. God’s voice tears apart the heavens, announcing, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit, another manifestation of God’s voice, simultaneously anoints Jesus.
When God speaks, nothing remains the same. Earth and air shake. The heavens are torn apart. Waters break free. The same voice that disrupts also has power to bring peace. God’s voice creates, renews, rends, and blesses.
When I was in preschool, my family attended Trinity and I thought God’s voice sounded like Fr. Paul Langpaap, the 8th Rector of Trinity. In the movies, God speaks with the voice of Morgan Freeman or Charlton Heston. Some scriptural descriptions of God’s voice remind me of thunder or a subwoofer so loud and close it shakes your insides like jello. For Samuel, it was the familiar voice of a good friend. And sometimes it is that persistent voice that won’t let you remain complacent.
Just as God’s voice hovered over the waters at the beginning of Creation, so the voice hovers over Jesus at his baptism. This moment of baptism is, for Mark, the beginning of the Good News of Jesus. No birth narrative or genealogy to set the stage. This is Mark’s Christmas story. Baptism is where Jesus’ story, and ours, begins. God’s voice anoints us with new life, and it is good.
At our baptism by water and the Holy Spirit, we pledge to use our voices to call attention to God, who is still speaking. We receive courage and will to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. We promise, with God’s help, to restore justice and peace among all people, to respect the dignity of every human being, and to protect and restore the beauty of all creation.
In the past few weeks, we have learned that more than 1,000 people died of opioid overdose in King County in 2023, and nearly a quarter of them were unhoused. The annual vigil for homeless deaths held on December 21 read out the names of 334 individuals who died through the end of November. That’s one human, one friend, sibling or child, parent or grandparent, who died while unhoused. Most commonly by violence, exposure, or overdose. The list included people of all genders, all races, and all ages from infants to elders.
The WHEEL shelter reports that they turn away 40+ women EVERY NIGHT. They hand them a sleeping bag or blanket and wish them good luck. Good luck at staying warm and dry, avoiding assault, finding food, surviving until another day.
Deaths by overdose and exposure are preventable public health emergencies!
Did you know that City Hall has a vacant space they only open for crisis situations? Is this not a crisis?
The weather forecast for the next ten days includes almost a week of sub freezing overnight temperatures. City Hall will probably open as a cold weather shelter. Justice would be keeping it open until all who need it have access to stable and affordable housing.
The same Holy Spirit that seals us at baptism gives us the will and courage to persevere. To join our voices in the insistent chorus for justice and dignity for all our siblings, and especially those whose voices have been ignored and silenced.
God is still speaking. The Good News may not be comfortable and easy news. It may shake the very earth on which we stand, unsettle our hearts and minds, and shift the way we see the world and our place in it. God’s voice often disrupts even as it brings a message of justice and hope.
A few years ago I asked my daughter, who was 10 at the time, what she thinks about the power of God’s voice. Her answer: “It can make you do things that are better than what you can do alone.”
Amen. Alleluia.
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