It is a joyous day!
It is a conflicted day!
In the morning there was First Communion. Confirmands were present so the congregation could meet and greet them and see them in person.
The cake and coffee was celebratory!
This afternoon – we gather “again” as our celebration continues….this time for the Rite of Reaffirmation of Baptismal Promises….better known as “Confirmation.”
8 young men and women will be standing before you and before God- Almighty and will state their faith-publicly.
That is major! Especially today.
This is the final step – in the three long—long—very long years of preparation. They are to be commended…supported and applauded. As are their parents, guardians and adult mentors.
Let’s give them all a round of applause, right now!
But as we look at the colors of the church year and at the array of flowers on the altar – there is another message being sent and being given, today.
This is All Saints Day, a day unlike any other in the life of the church.
It use to be called a “Thinner day” a day when the veil between heaven and earth is at its thinnest. When the realm of heaven and the realm of earth are at their closest… When people in both realms are being thought of and prayed for – like some kind of two-way street…of communication.
The message is of holiness, of sanctification, or glorification of the blessed saints – the church militant on earth and the very hosts of heaven… They are here, present with us. Surrounding us…as always…
It is a “thinner day.” A day of closer proximity…
Indeed, we are surrounded by a great and vast throng of witnesses. It is our namesake, All Saints.
We are actually surrounded by too many to name and too many to recall. But I would venture to say – that each and every one of us, probably has our own listing of those who are most dear to us…
So, it is a different kind of day…all the way around.
[So guys,] If I say to you, Genesis…you say?
Let’s try that again … this time with some more enthusiasm.
If I say, Genesis, you say…
If I say, Matthew, you say…
If I say, “Two dolla” makes you…you say…
Just checking to see if we accomplished anything during the past three years…
It is important you know…
You have covered, read and discussed more of the Bible than most people will ever even know about…
In it, is all of life…
Capsulated…in a nut shell…the good…the bad…the ugly and the indifferent. It is all there.
It is an honest reflection of real life and emotions…
It speaks of the importance…of knowing who your people are…
The stories that we read about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, those are family remembrances…family stories…the kind we savor and pass on – all the time.
It is important to know where you come from…and therefore: My father was a wandering Aramaen…
Of knowing right from wrong, good from evil… and therefore we have the law, the torah, the first Five Books of Moshes…and the 613 Jewish laws.
Never forget the basic 10 – the Decalogue.
Know the importance of whom – you belong to…You are God’s child…
Realizing that you are God’s children…first and foremost…and that God loves, supports and cares for you and about you, very much. You are not alone, ever!
We studied the Gospels, the “good news.” And we know that Jesus came and gave his life for all. In him we are redeemed and saved.
Because we are Lutheran – we believe that we are saved by “Faith alone” by the Grace of our God. There is nothing that we can do – except to rely on the graciousness of our God. It is God our heavenly father…who loves us so much…that according to John, he sent his only Son.
This is a joyous – yet conflicted day – happy and sad and one filled with great pride…so let’s get on with it…