Sermon Baptism and Confirmation April 28th, 2024

Here we are on the 5th Sunday of Easter. It’s nearly the end of the Easter season; that time between the Resurrection of Christ and his Ascension.

That time when Jesus affirmed and empowered his disciples. That time when he appeared among them proclaiming peace and bringing joy. That time when the community that is the church was truly born.

That is what we, in many fantastic ways, are going about today. Affirming and empowering our new confirmands, peace and joy to this community, and even bringing a new member of the church to birth in baptism.

What a truly remarkable day. I think that is worth an Easter Alleluia!

And it is entirely appropriate that we celebrate together this day, not just because those who are being baptized and confirmed have something to celebrate. Nor even because their families and friends are here, but because today the whole church rejoices alongside Jayden, Sydney, Rachel, Christine, and Tucker. Through their dedication, faith, and ministries the whole church has grown and become enriched.

And when I say the whole church, I mean it!

And as if to prove my point, sitting at the front, in majestic episcopal garb is our bishop.  Here today not only to preside over confirmation, as is good and proper, but as a symbol.

The bishop of a Diocese represents the wider church, the idea that when we gather together as a church it is not limited to the people gathered today in this parish, but rather we gather as the church throughout the world. 

We are a part of a global community and that means where ever go, you will find members of this church who can continue to help supporting you on your journey, because we are all the church.

Our gospel today reminds us of that. Jesus tells us "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. …Abide in me as I abide in you.”  God is a God of community, of relationship.  Even within God’s own self, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God exists in relationship.  The analogy of the Vine speaks to that relationship.   “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.”  

Vines have a strong root system that sustains the main vine and from that vine grows many, many branches.  The branches, grow more branches, and they in turn grow stems for fruits and tendrils to support and uphold the vines.  A huge, interconnected, if somewhat chaotic system, that spreads and grows and produces tons of fruit; all strengthened and sustained by the one Vine of Christ, firmly rooted in God.

We are a part of that vineyard, abiding in Christ and Christ abiding in us so that we can fulfil our potential, produce fruit for the benefit of all. 

What we are witnessing this day, as we celebrate the Confirmations of these wonderful people, is the grafting on of new branches to the Vine; filled with the word, cleansed, and washed by baptism, some extremely recently! and ready to commit themselves to abiding in the Vine which is Christ.

We will hear them promise, as we have in times past; to abide in the Word, to be in community, to prune away all sin, and to produce the fruits of justice, and then we who are witnesses, we will promise to do everything we can to support them.

Not simply because the bulletin says, that’s what you are supposed to say, but because that is what it means to be Christian, to be a part of the Vineyard.

“Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.”

 “God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”

 “So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.”

 

Beloved, (we read) God loves you.  Not in a simplistic or superficial way, but with the intense love that you have for these your children, presented this day.

With that strong, superhuman love that would have your rush into traffic to save them from harm.  With that heart breaking love you feel when they turn from you and hurt themselves and others and with that heart bursting love you’ve felt when you’ve watched them fall asleep.   This is how God loves you.

As we read in 1 John “We love because God first loved us.” And “Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.”  That is why when we Baptize and Confirm it is not a one way street.  It’s not enough for these who are being baptised and confirmed to say I believe and be left to their own devices.  

They make promises to God and we, we make promises to them. 

We who are their family and friends and know them best.  We who are members of their church and know the journey of faith they are embarking on.  We who are their pastors and priests, guides, and shepherds on the path. We promise to support and guide them to the very best of our ability.

Christine, Jayden, Tucker, Rachel, Syd look around you.  Look at those who have gathered.  These people are here to help.  There are many people here today who have walked similar paths to each of you and who know the joy that a life of faith can bring. 

They also know the challenges of keeping faith in a secular world.  The experience of confusion that rises up in you when aspects of your faith are challenged and the anger you can experience when it seems that God is not living up to that promise of loved we discussed.

Your community, your parish, your church is here for you and no matter what you experience…chances are someone here knows how you feel and can stand with you, supporting and upholding you when you need it.

We are all members of the one vine, the one church.  Tendrils intertwined and curling over the supports we know are there, so that together we can hold the new branches up while they grow healthy and strong.  Not only because we have to, as members of the one vine, but because we love you and want to see you thrive!

That is why we gather together for baptisms and confirmation.  These sacraments are no longer understood as private ceremonies, but rites of passage to be celebrated in community.  They are opportunities for us all to celebrate with you and see the church grow before our very eyes.  To see you take the next step of faith.

Today you choose.  Today you decide.  Today you commit yourself to Christ. 

Today you join a community that has reached the world over.

Today you are grafted into the Vine of Christ, beloved, celebrated, supported, and blessed.

May the promises that you make this day guide your life in the years to come.

May the people and church that surrounds you uphold you in their prayers and actions.

May the faith that you have shown grow and mature as you do.

May the blessing of God Almighty, the Vine that sustains us and the Spirit that fosters the growth of us all be poured out on you this day.  Alleluia. And amen.