June 19, 2005; 5th Sunday after Pentecost Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 5:15b-19; Matthew 10:24-33; Psalm 69:7-10, 16-18.   The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith Tell in the Light "What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops." Matthew 10:27 We are called to acknowledge God. We are called to share the grace given to us—the whispered claim of love that rests in the deepest part of our souls. Our spiritual lives are very personal, but they need not be private. We have opportunities to give as a gift to others, what has been so freely given to us. In the baptismal service last week, the candidates promised, and the rest of you, who were here, reaffirmed your promise to "proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ." Every Christian is called to proclaim what he or she believes about God as know through Jesus Christ. What do you believe about God? What is the message that God calls you to share with others? Would it be about the equality of all people, or the power of God's love, or the healing and support found in a moment of prayer? The message that you have to share is as unique as you are, do not discount it—God working through you can to more than you can ask or imagine—and does, even when we don't know it. Jeremiah found that God worked through him more than he asked. God, Jeremiah claims, "enticed" him and "overpowered" him by calling him to be a prophet. The Old Testament, and our reading today from Jeremiah, makes it clear that it is not always easy to say what God puts on our hearts because those around us may react negatively. For the message of equality, peace and justice does not always suit those around us. So we find Jeremiah, a person who had a strong faith in God, lamenting his relationship with God. It is OK to acknowledge the truth of life, which is not always easy or pleasant—life can be sad and difficult. Belief in God does make other realities of life go away. Jeremiah hoped to stop saying the things that caused people to laugh at him. But he could not, and, in the end, his struggle with God made him even more aware of God's power and grip on his life: "If I say, 'I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,' then within me there is something like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot." Our sacred scriptures encourage us to be honest with God and ourselves. Jeremiah started with a strong lament, but ends in praise of God. All interaction with God, even doubt in God, makes the relationship stronger. So, what would you shout from the rooftop even if you knew some people would laugh or disapprove or seek to silence you? That might be worth considering—given who you are and the circumstances of your life, what does God call you to share with others? Praying about your life, your experience of God, and the call that comes from those two realities, could be very fruitful. You might pray with the image of you being on the housetop talking with God as you image God looking. Hear what God/Jesus/the Spirit has to say to you, your wonderings, your questions, and your concerns. Hear God say to you, "So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows (who God will also not let fall)." Do not be afraid—what could that mean for you? When we are free of fear, we are more able to speak, and live, and love. Jesus says, "What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. When I hear these words, I hear Jesus saying to me do not keep all that that I am and all that I have done for you to yourself. One way we share all that Jesus is for us is by coming together to sing and pray and celebrate the holy mysteries of our faith. Through our words and example, we show people what we believe. We have a great message to share about God—one that is based on a belief that every single person is loved by God; God is with us, with you and me—pulling for us and believing in us. When we worship together, and a first-time visitor to any Episcopal Church is with us, that person is going to see what we believe about God by observing our service. We believe that God is with us and among us. We believe that connection with God happens through prayer. We believe that God always seeks to strengthen us for our own benefit and for the benefit of others—this is most known to us when we receive the bread and the wine—the body and blood of our Lord and Savior. We reflect the joy that we know because we know God. We share the love that we know because God loved us first. Jesus says, "What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Amen.