Consent

A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sunday, January 11, 2026 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray

Let’s start with three questions. Last week we had the Three Kings; this week, Three Questions:

1) Since the new year, how many times have you written “2025” instead of “2026” — in your day timer? On a legal document? On a cheque? (Who still uses cheques?. Hands up now — tell the truth.

2) How many days until Blue Jays Spring Training Camp begins? And who will be there?

Exhibition games commence February 21

New players include: Pitchers: Dylan Cease; Cody Ponce; Shane Bieber, extended, with minor league acquisitions;

In-field: Kazuma Okamoto, Third base;

No news on Bichette, Second Base, or Kyle Tucker, Right field;

3) How are you doing with your new year’s resolutions?

For myself, as I don’t make any, I am 100% compliant. With such a cynical approach, I am, in fact. not alone. I have heard reports which suggest that as few as 23% of Canadians make New Years’ resolutions. Most are financial commitments; others relate to physical fitness — The gym in Summerland presently overflows with sweaty enthusiasm; the room will be more sparsely occupied in March. Trust me on this. I may not be there myself by then.

You see, New Years’ resolutions are pointless unless we make permeant or extended changes to our lives as we adjust our priorities, a decision that will affect self-understanding, as well as our place in family, church, and community. So let’s be strategic. Possibly you know the acronym: SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely. Let’s all decide to START 2026 SMART.

Today we have a special opportunity to compare a SMART life strategy with promises made — either by ourselves, or by others on our behalf — at the time of our baptism.

Having prepared hundreds of individuals and families for baptism over many years, I often describe the process this way: “Good enough for Jesus; good enough for us.” He didn’t need to be baptized, except to fulfil prophecy. He was born, and lived, without sin. He sought the rite anyway, though he had to convince John to provide the ministry. Initially, John objected. John thought that  the person who provides the ministry must have special ability, insight, or Divine favour over the one seeking the ministry. John missed the point . . . but eventually, he agreed to proceed.

“Let it be so now [for me to be baptized by you]; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.”

Then comes the punchline: Then he (John) consented.

So much of the Christian life we know, and practice, and confess involves consent. We consent — to walk the way of Jesus. We consent — to honouring God in our lives, in our bodies, fueled by our passions. We consent — to pursuing justice as we are able. We consent—  [nothing is forced upon us] to receive God’s grace.

Baptized as a child, when my parents spoke on my behalf, I later learned at the time of my confirmation what in fact they promised. Born in 1958, the rite used for my baptism was likely based on the 1918 Book of Common Prayer. I will quote however from the 1962 equivalent:

“Do you, in the name of this Child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world [that is my favourite bit] with all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that you will not follow nor be led by them?” They answered on my behalf: “I do.” By the time of my confirmation the language had changed:

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth?

Such has been the standard for baptismal commitment in the Anglican Church of Canada since 1985. The newer language is more dynamic and broadly applicable; it is engaged; it is not passive. I received a bit of a blast from a Summerland parishioner recently. They had not been to church for some years. They prefer the BCP rite and were faithful in that attendance back in my day. They said they were going to return to church recently. I am not sure what they expected, as we use new rites, taking full advantage of electronic media, calling on a wide variety of musical styles, all in a sometimes improvisational manner. Our approach is highly engaged. Their comment was that liturgy is intercessional, that is, we as participants honour God with no associated expectations. Another parishioner once told me that we don’t pray for specific things as we might end up disappointed. Stopped me in my tracks at the time. Again, a passive approach. To me, such a notion is like watching a parade go by while standing firm on the sidewalk.

So what follows consent? Truthfully, what follows is the rest of our lives . . .  experienced individually, within community. As baseball is an individual sport played as a team of high performance athletes, Christianity gathers followers together, who consent to God’s presence in our lives, as we seek God’s blessing together. In baseball such plays as the bunt, and the sacrifice fly, well illustrate what Christians call service, compassion, or reconciliation. At the end of the day, the goal is blessing:

[W]hen Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.  MATTHEW 3:13-17

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