Hebrews 12:1-2
Today we are celebrating All Saints Day, which was officially yesterday. It’s a day dedicated to “the great cloud of witnesses” who have over the centuries attested to the importance Jesus holds in their lives. Sometimes we honor those friends and family members who have entered eternal life on this day, but we did that on Memorial weekend this year. Some traditions have a procedure for naming particular outstanding persons as saints. Usually some kind of miracle is required for this recognition, as well as exemplary service and often martyrdom. It makes the application list rather short. Our traditions have held instead that all those who follow Jesus are among the saints. We are part of the “great cloud of witnesses” by virtue of living our lives in connection with Jesus.
This fall we’ve been “reading” the book Freeing Jesus by Diana Butler Bass. In each chapter she has described one way to understand Jesus – friend, teacher, savior, way… I’ve been surprised how each week we end up in much the same place, putting emphasis on living in community and working out together what following Jesus looks like. It’s a hands-on process of putting faith into action.
Over the past few years we’ve talked often about life in the first century among those who heard Jesus story and tried to adopt his way of life. They also emphasized community. They enjoyed meals and conversation, they watched out for one another, and they worked out among themselves how to love God and neighbor as Jesus inspired them.
In our present time, we are facing some of the same disruptions to life that the first century experienced. We are watching abusive power harm some of our neighbors. We’re watching leaders claim the power of empire for themselves. We’re unsure of how to make a difference or to stand up for democracy and justice. Wise folks suggest that we do much of what first century folks did – enjoy meals and conversation, watch out for one another, do our best to love God and neighbor.
All Saints Sunday gives us an opportunity to reflect on how that happens among us and to name some of the folks who have taught us about living our faith and impacting our community. I want to invite you to share names or even stories of people who have been important to you. I know that not everyone enjoys speaking aloud in worship, so please feel free to name people in your own heart. If you’re watching online or reading this after the face, take the time to reflect on your own experiences.
Let’s begin with people who influenced us when we were children. They may be family members or Sunday School teachers or coaches. Who are your adult mentors who stand out in your memory as showing you what it means to follow Jesus or live with integrity?
Now I invite you to think about famous people who have influenced you. Musicians? Philanthropists? Authors? Politicians?
Next let’s think about contemporary people who make life better for us. Who are some of the people in your life that you value?
Who are the folks who stand up for justice, near or far, in this present moment?
Finally, I want you to think about yourself as one of the Saints of God. I won’t ask you to share this part aloud because that would put us all on the spot. But please think about one person you helped in the past week, even if it was just a phone call or a smile…
Think about a value you hold that makes the world better…
Think about one thing you can do in the week ahead to show your faith…
We aren’t just people waiting for God to make the world better, we’re people who hold a vision of God’s justice and mercy and peace. When we act on that vision we are co-creators with God of God’s reign on earth. We’re bringing life with God into reality all around us. It’s not just miracles or big deeds that make us saints, it’s participating in the community that believes loving your neighbor matters. Treating people with respect and dignity matters. Living with hope matters. It’s easy to be overwhelmed or to give up, but that’s why we hang out together. We need to remind each other that what we are doing makes a difference. God is counting on us to be a part of the new thing God is doing among us. We can claim that for our own.
Look around at the saints who have gathered here. Let’s thank one another for what each one is doing to make God’s way real among us today.