Response to Canon Brandt's sermon

It was a fabulous day at St. James’ this past Sunday as we celebrated our historic connection to St. Michael's Church, also in Manhattan, with our guest preacher, Canon George Brandt. He opened his sermon with greetings to St. Michael's’ “daughter” church--not sister, not mother, but daughter! St. Michael's, he said, is the older of the two churches, and has never moved from its current location, and therefore should have the “mother” designation. What a wonderful concept!

In the Gospel this week (Luke 3:7-18), we find ourselves witnessing John, about to baptize a crowd of people. John opens with “You brood of vipers!” Quite an ominous greeting! He continues on, offering advice to the tax collectors, soldiers and others in attendance. He concludes his exhortation to the crowd by proclaiming the good news that “one who is more powerful than I is coming.”

Canon Brandt interpreted John’s words and actions, saying “Who you are, and where you come from, is utterly unimportant in baptism.” Moreover, he noted how John completely upended the economic order of things of that time. For example, he encouraged tax collectors to collect only the right amount (and not strong-arm people into paying more taxes as was the custom). John’s unconventional actions symbolized the coming of Christ, Brandt said. “If you truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, then this is the way we are going to live.”

What a wonderful Advent message. This is the time of year when all of us can cheer the coming of Christ and personally re-evaluate our ways. As we enter 2010, and continue to celebrate St. James’ Bicentennial, we thank Canon Brandt for his wonderful message of encouragement and hope.

--Willa B. Baynard