11042020a – Matthew 5. 1-12

 

Each and every year – All Saints Day falls on November 1st. 

BUT it is considered to be “a moveable feast date” on the church calendar, so if it does not fall on a Sunday, then, it is celebrated on the next closest Sunday.

Historically, All Saints Day began as a commemoration of the martyrs who had died for their Christian faith. 

But over the years it has evolved into a day when we honor, remember, and celebrate ALL THE SAINTS – those who — have joined the church TRIUMPHANT, as well as the baptized, who serve, work, and reside in the church MILITANT on earth.

Martin Luther held that ALL Christians are at the same time, both SINNER and SAINT – “SINNERS” because of our “rebellious nature” … and “SAINTS” because of our salvation in Christ Jesus.

So tonight, on November the 4th, we continue to celebrate ALL THE SAINTS … all those who have died in faith and are now living on “the other side of eternity” as well as “all of those” who are still here, living in faith “on this side of eternity.”

DO NOTE # and understand that DOES include EACH OF US here this evening. 

And the thing I would like US to think about this All Saints – is “its connection” to the Church’s teaching about “the Communion of Saints.”

If for no other reason, then it IS NOT talked about – ENOUGH.

I’m sure this phrase “The Communion of Saints” is familiar to you because it is a part of “our historical Christian confession” in the words of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the Holy Spirit … the holy Catholic Church … the communion of saints…”

WHAT we are celebrating this evening is CONNECTED to the teaching of “The Communion of Saints” – “the idea” that all of God’s people – in heaven and on earth – are spiritually CONNECTED and UNITED. 

Christians believe that THE SAINTS in heaven are just as alive as YOU and I … and that we are woven together in a tight-knit-mystical-communion.

“When we are deprived of loved ones, it is a tremendous shock.  For the moment we are stunned and lost.  

Not everyone can feel their “continuing companionship and their presence.” 

For most of us … it comes slowly and is a long hard difficult transition to make.  Many hours are filled with loneliness, uncertainty and unanswered questions…

How awesome IT IS and what a blessing it is – to sense “the continuing presence” of our loved ones … and we can do this … IF WE REALIZE the presence of our living Lord.  With us always, with us still.

The Saints are a part of the Church.  

We worship WITH them.  

They worship the risen Christ face to face … while we worship the same risen Christ under the veil of bread and wine at his altar.

At communion, we are LINKED with heaven …  and with the communion of saints – with our loved ones…every single time…  

HERE AT THE ALTAR – we find communion with our loved ones; for the altar is said to be “the closest meeting place” between us and our God.  This is our holy of holies… 

Our human nature NEEDS MORE than just the assurance that someday… and in some way… we shall meet our loved ones again…  

When we view death in the light of “the Communion of Saints” and the celebration of Holy Communion, the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, the Last Supper, the Agape Meal there is NO helpless bereavement. 

My loved one has just left me and has gone to God.  

I am in touch with them, still, yet.  They are with me.  There is a place where we meet.  It is AT the altar of our GOD.  

How it thrills me (personally) EVERY TIME I repeat the words of the liturgy, 

“Therefore, with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven,” for I know that they are here with us – I actually pause to acknowledge their presence- (that company of heaven, the Communion of Saints.) A real presence.  HERE. Together again.

The nearer I come to my GOD in Communion, the nearer I come to my own loved ones and departed friends.  

We are ALL members of the body of Christ. 

We are INDEED surrounded by a GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

It is a MYSTICAL moment.  A WONDROUS moment.  A HOLY moment.  Dare, I even say, a MAGICAL moment.

We are UNITED IN CHRIST. 

It is not just “a pat” on “a banner on the wall”… it is an acknowledgment that we are together again.

Amen.