Dear St. John’s People,

     People like to make New Year’s resolutions, I think.  Such resolves are an indication that we are aware of our bad habits, as well as our good ones.  We all have our habits.  Some are positive and lead us toward health, wholeness, and life.  Some habits are bad and lead toward degradation, personal enslavement, and death.  We cannot live productively without habits.  Our challenge is to curb the bad ones and cultivate the good ones.

     Habits seem to be a cultural absolute.  People in every age and in every culture have developed and handed on certain customs, particular rituals, and behavioral norms that indicate how and why things ought to be done in a certain way.

     The Lord of this life and the life that is to come had habits.  Apparently, habits played an important role in providing direction and purpose in his life.  The Gospels point out in several places the Lord’s habit of prayer, of retreat times, of small- group support, and of corporate worship.  These habits were important in keeping Jesus spiritually fit.

     So, what do the habits of private prayer and meditation, small group support, times of retreat and refreshment, and corporate worship do for us?  What is the value of such habits?  First, I would submit, is the value of discipline.  Spirituality that is not firmly grounded in discipline is worse than useless.  It is, I suggest, blasphemous.   If our spirituality is not based on the disciplined life, it will be based on feelings.  When our spiritual life is based on feelings we have as many “outs” as we need for not praying, not seeking renewal and refreshment, not worshiping, not giving, or not being aware that every action involves a stewardship decision.  Not being in church when we could be, because we do not feel like it, or because we disagree with the preacher, or the vestry, or the position of the diocese or national church only serves to make the next decision not to go that much easier.

     It is a positive use of habit-formation to make discipline a cornerstone in our lives.  That saves us from being at the mercy of our moods, our feelings, or changing circumstances.  It is through disciplined prayer and worship that we learn that God is not primarily concerned with how we feel, but with our faith.  It is through discipline that we learn we have an appointment with the One who is sacred.  Keeping that appointment on a daily basis and joining with others for corporate worship on a weekly basis helps keep us spiritually fit, just as exercise helps keep us physically fit.

     Another value of positive habits is that they can lead to freedom.  We sometimes talk about being enslaved to habits, being prisoners of routine, and confined by the mundane nature of daily life.  Some habits don’t have a great deal of life-giving force to them, but the habit of prayer and worship can also free us to enjoy and experience the things that are life-giving and vital.  If we come to church only to get, only to receive, we will often be disappointed.  It, on the other hand, we come to give, to share, to be fitted for maximum service to God and God’s people, we will find freedom.

     Finally, positive habits have the added value of witnessing to the faith.  There are many and varied ways to witness to the faith that is in us.  Striving to live the Christian life, confessing our failures to do so, and reaching out to the lost, the last, and the least adds a bit of light that others may see and give glory to the Father in heaven.  Personal prayer and consistent church attendance is one of those powerful witnesses.  It is a sermon preached to all who come within the range of our influence.  Please do not be deceived!  Others watch.  Friends and neighbors know our church affiliation.  People notice when we say one thing and act another.

     God calls us to faithful worship and to proclaim the power of love as we gather in one place out of diverse backgrounds and needs.  We are not always going to agree, or see things the same way.  We are not called to do that.  We are called to love each other and to faithful living.

     This new year could be a time for a new resolve.  Epiphany is about manifestation.  The Light of the world is now visible to all people.  Discipline can lead to freedom and to witnessing to the faith.  Let 2007 be the year of discipline, freedom, and witness for each one of you. 

                                                                           Peace, 

                                                                                  Tom