August 12, 2007; The 11th Sunday after Pentecost Readings: Genesis 15:1-6; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40; Psalm 33:12-15, 18-22.   The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith Engaging Our Faith Our reading from the Gospel of Luke calls attention to our priorities and the way we live based on what we value and believe. Jesus tells his followers that they can count on God. Do not be afraid. It is God's will to give them the kingdom-to give them peace, healing, justice, joy, now and for eternity. So, Jesus directs the people to live that eternal life now, the life of the kingdom, by focusing on what lasts. All that we possess is but for a time; the love we share with God and each other is for eternity. Are we alert and "dressed for action?" This gospel reading does direct our attention to the Second Coming the end of time as we know it, but it is also about being aware of how Christ comes to us everyday. When we help others who are in need-when we give alms, we are living the life of the kingdom. We live by faith when we choose to feed the hungry or help the homeless. The love we share, by living out of God's abundance rather than the fear so often encouraged by the world, points to the kingdom and makes it real for us now. It takes faith to live according to what we do not yet see. What is faith? Sometimes people give up on God or the Church because they say they do not have faith or they think that their faith is some how not enough. But we come to find that faith is not an object that one can possess. Faith is not something that can be put on a shelf and admired. We cannot compare one person's faith to another as if it can be measured and summed up in worldly terms. Instead, we come to find that faith is not an object but the journey itself. Abraham, the great man of faith, didn't have the answers and felt lost most of the time. We hear in the reading from Hebrews that in response to God's call, Abraham set out not knowing where he was going. Abraham did not understand. As beautifully stated in the letter to the Hebrews, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Throughout his life, Abraham did not always understand God's plan or purpose. But it was in the setting out-by engaging in the journey-he was faithful, full of faith. Faith does not exist in a vacuum; it is experienced as we encounter the real world. Faith is different for different people. Many people experience faith by helping those in need. Some who are intellectually focused, find themselves ground in God through the history and traditions of the church. Some have a mystical tendency and the times of prayer and the reception of sacraments engages them in their faith journey. For me, my faith is deepen most these days by being in Christian community---by being with you and seeing how God works in your lives, how God has shaped you to be who you are, and by seeing the development of our faith community. Many would say that in all of these ways their journey of faith is shaped. If you ever wonder about your faith, remember that it is not an object to be controlled but a journey of holy exploration. Having faith does not mean that we never have questions or doubts. On the contrary, an active life of faith is one that is curious, questioning, ready to learn new things, and open to change. We all set out on the journey of faith not knowing exactly where we are going-but knowing that God will be with us wherever we may go. Today we are celebrating the baptism of Ashley and she begins her journey of faith as a Christian, as a member of the body of Christ. Where it will lead, we cannot say, but we can say that God will be with her. Today she will be sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ's own forever. Through this service, we are reminded of the core elements of the faith journey. The promises made at baptism are a faithful response the grace of God given to us. The journey begins in a new way for Ashley today. In sharing this day with us, she touches our journeys and we are changed for the better. Amen.