November 01, 2006

feast of all saints

Living God, we praise you for the multitudes of women, men and young people, and children who, across the earth, are striving to be witnesses to peace, trust and reconciliation.

In the steps of the holy witnesses of all the ages, from the apostles and the Virgin Mary down to those today, enable us day after day to dispose ourselves inwardly to place our trust in the mystery of the Faith. - Bro. Roger of Taize

T his past Sunday we celebrated Reformation Sunday at Community Church. At Reconciler we did not. Well, we sang A Mighty Fortress. That was our nod to the day. Immanuel Lutheran renamed it (No clumsy redefining for the Lutherans. No sir!) Reconciliation Sunday. I think I kind of like that. It speaks to what I was trying to say in my sermon. Larry preached on the same texts I did and also was comepelled to speak about salvation and how ephemeral it really is to describe and define.

This Sunday we honor the Feast of All Saints. Community Church has its tradition to that end. Reconciler shapes the liturgy as well to recognise the liturgy. Immanuel's pastor is going to be preaching at Reconciler that evening. I am looking forward to it. It has been a long time in coming.

All Saints has always been special to me...well, since I started paying attention to it sometime after college. Heh. I am such an old hand at this, you know! I like the theology of that great cloud of witnesses...those who have gone before us who continue their work among us. It inspires me. It encourages me. It challenges me. On Sundays, I wear my step-grandfather's Geneva gown. I am enshrouded by the cloud of witnesses every time I preach in that garment.

To me this is part of the the promise of salvation. This cloud, this ongoing worshiping community praying for my redemption, for our reconciliation to one another and to God, inspires me. I know what I have been saying may make me a sketchy Baptist, but you all should be used to that by now. Pray to the saints today. Ask someone you love, who loves you, who has passed to pray for you today. It need not be the Virgin Mary...it may be your grandmother or grandfather or a friend who has gone before you.

I take great consolation in knowing that there may very well be a wild Catholic priest (Hey there, Art!) praying for me...still trying to straighten me out after all this time. Thanks be to God.


Posted by tripp at November 1, 2006 08:49 AM
Comments

'Immanuel Lutheran renamed it (No clumsy redefining for the Lutherans. No sir!) Reconciliation Sunday. I think I kind of like that.'

So do I.

Posted by: The young fogey at November 1, 2006 10:00 AM

I saw the bit about calling Reformation Sunday by the name Reconciliation Sunday. I am uneasy with it, but unable to quite pin why. I'll have to think about it a little longer.

I understand the Sunday morning All Saints comment. I preach in my father's alb, usually wearing my grandfather's pectoral cross.

Posted by: Pastor David at November 1, 2006 10:05 AM

Immanuel used both names, Reformation and Reconciliation, on its worship materials, although I prefer the latter.

As I think about it, dropping "Reformation" wholesale misrepresents the day and the history behind it. If people today are uncomfortable with the celebration of "Reformation Day" those folks should have to deal with that discomfort, to some extent.

I remember reading recently that it is common practice to teach Orthodox orphans to pray to their parents for their intercession.

Posted by: Jorge Sanchez at November 1, 2006 01:36 PM

There is a Reformation and somehow we have to manage our way with the history around it. True enough.

And thanks for the clarification about Immanuel!

Posted by: Tripp at November 1, 2006 05:19 PM