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The book of Deuteronomy has Moses, in a farewell address, speaking to his people reminding them of God’s covenant with them and of God’s acts that have guided them to this time and place in their history. And he speaks of that which they need to be mindful in their future life in their promised land.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the one Lord. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might. Keep these words …

in your heart. Recite (and teach) them to your children….and do not follow other gods that are all around you."

It’s interesting that the writings of Deuteronomy had not yet come fully to a monotheistic perspective. Other gods were still seen as a threat. The Canaanite gods were attractive and could lure the Israelites into other cults and practices. The writings in Deuteronomy represent a new period in the history of this people and a time of renewed focus and dedication toward the God of Israel. And there’s a concern with transmitting the traditions to coming generations and making them relevant for a new time.

We have entered a new place and time in our own life as a people here. We too are a people of the covenant, and it is important that we transmit our faith tradition, making it relevant for this new period in our history.

Last month we confirmed a group of our young people. It was a moving experience to witness that special ritual within our church community. I think we do that whole confirmation process extremely well here. And we are especially indebted to Linda Carder for her creative leadership in making this such a special observance within the life of this congregation. We take seriously the need to teach our children.

Three of the confirmands were also baptized that day. By their baptism and confirmation they came more fully into the life and care of this church. They are part of God’s new covenant community, with us on a journey inspired by the way of Jesus. And we have promised them our attention and loving care and faithful example.

And today we have again acknowledged our faith and responsibility in the baptisms of Lindsay and Brendan Collins.

The Tuesday evening after that confirmation Sunday I heard Peter Gomes speak at the National Cathedral. He’s a Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard and the Chaplain at Harvard’s Memorial Church. You may recall that he wrote a best-selling book about the Bible called The Good Book. He spoke that Tuesday evening about the subject of his new book, The Good Life, and described and underlying frustration, even despair, that he finds among many students at Harvard and other colleges around the country. These are bright and gifted students, successful and rich in things, but they are, he says, a generation in search of purpose and meaning. They are asking if there is anything more? What’s really worth giving themselves to and sacrificing for, beyond just making a good living?

Gomes says also that he has been to years of alumni reunions at Harvard, and so often adults at these confide to him that they have felt trapped by their apparent successes. And alums, as well as the students, are still raising concerns about being good enough.

David Broder writes about a recent poll that found that same disillusionment among young people between the ages of 15 and 25. And 8 out of 10 also said that they would favor an expansion of programs in which they could give a year of community or national service, working for something greater than themselves.

About the same time as the Peter Gomes’ lecture, the Post ran an article about high performance teens who are tops in everything, but asking whether they will ever be able to stop running. They’ve discovered the flaw in perfection. One teen says, "The biggest message I’ve gotten is that you should always doubt that you’re good enough. I see what’s missing instead of what’s there." So many kids are being pushed at such a young age to do everything. This has been described as the "downward creep" in pursuit of achievement in sports and all kinds of activities for children beginning at age 2 or 3. Behind this is parental anxiety about their children falling behind other children if they don’t push them to seize every opportunity to achieve.

A woman who has worked with high achievers for 30 years sees a dramatic change in the stress level of these kids. And a dean at the University of Virginia says he sees more cases of clinical depression and students feeling overwhelmed by all they have to do. And the time and money spent have created a massive and profitable industry trading on such concerns. A tennis coach who likes to start kids at 2 or 3 says that by age 4 it’s too late, and that by age 6 many of her students can take on teenagers and win!

Well, this is very impressive, but this is not what we’re about here. This is not what it means to love God with all our heart, soul and might.

A while back I saw a small pillow embroidered with the words, "My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." That’s not bad, but that’s not quite it.

In response to questions put to him about meaning and purpose in life, Gomes refers to the prophet Micah: "He has told you, O Mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with God."

Gomes asks, "What is it we don’t understand about this?" He goes on to speak of the need for sacred space, attention to the suffering of others and finding companionship along the way.

It’s important that we provide here such sacred space to young and old alike, and time and room to grow – a place of loving families and loving community, where we can find a spiritual home, a place of acceptance and respect; where we can be ourselves and become more; where together we come to know the presence of God; where we come to count on each other and work together for a better world, and be an inclusive community where all are affirmed and have something to contribute.

So, as we move into our fresh future, we must remember anew what we are about here.

We’re about providing an experience of the sacred, the experience of being held in God’s warm embrace, and the experience of a reality the character of which is love. This is what gives life richness and meaning. To love God with all our heart and mind and soul and strength is to be devoted to this fundamental reality and to live it. Jesus embraced this and lived it. He believed that the experience of God he had could be translated into human relationships and forms of community embodying such love.

This is how life can be lived and experienced more deeply, because love changes the way life is experienced and perceived.

This is the firm foundation that Jesus speaks of in the brief parable we read from Matthew’s gospel this morning. This is a foundation to build a life and a church on, not one built on the shifting sands of those other idols in life that are all around us, but which do not hold up and sustain us over time. We may take on a little spring water from time to time, but we will not be overcome by floods of doubt and concern, or by the loss of courage and purpose.

We are a covenant people, built on the strong foundation of a love of life, a love of creation and a love of neighbor, celebrating and enjoying life together and weathering the storms of life together, at the same time as we are responding to the needs of our sisters and brothers for justice and care.

That’s the message we would teach and live out in this place; the tradition we will build upon and pass on.

Today we came to his table remembering him who called us into newness of life. Next week we will reaffirm and celebrate that covenant which we have with God and with each other.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

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