Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18 (NRSV)
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: "As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever."
Ephesians 1:11-23 (NRSV)
In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Luke 6:20-31 (NRSV)
Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:
"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
- "Blessed are you who are poor,
- for yours is the kingdom of God.
- "Blessed are you who are hungry now,
- for you will be filled.
- "Blessed are you who weep now,
- for you will laugh.
- "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
- "But woe to you who are rich,
- for you have received your consolation.
- "Woe to you who are full now,
- for you will be hungry.
- "Woe to you who are laughing now,
- for you will mourn and weep.
- "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets
Blog Reflection
In the Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church the following definition is given for the Communion of Saints.
Part of the 9th article of the Apostles Creed. it is usually interpreted as the spiritual union existing between each Christian adn Christ, and so between every Christian in Heaven, Purgatory, or on earth (p.136).
J.B. Bernard in An Introduction to the Episcopal Church on the subject of the Communion of Saints wrote:
This means the fellowship of Christians with one another through their possession of the one Spirit and their fellowship with Christ. It applies not only to this world, but also the next. All Christians are one in Him (p.91).
These quotes along with our Scripture readings on this All Saints Sunday gives us a lot to ponder. Yet, the greatness of it is not in the amount to think about, but the enormity of God's love for all God's people. All of us who have been brought together by the Catholic Creeds, to serve in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, find our oneness in Jesus Christ. All that is good and holy, with all the potential to be touched by the ever present mercy of God, is because of what Jesus Christ did by His death, resurrection, ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. No matter how much the Church may get wrong since it's beginnings, this oneness in Christ, this one belonging to one another because of Christ, means that there are no losers and no one to be excluded. Everyone is to be invited to receive in faith the Holy Mysteries, and ponder for themselves what salvation in and through Jesus Christ means for them.
In case we need some kind of script to understand what it means to be one in Christ, that we are a part of the Communion of Saints, we need look no further than Paul's letter to the Ephesians. We all share in some way in that inheritance of the Saints in the light of Jesus Christ, so that each of us may know what is true and worthwhile. None of us are required to agree with one another. All that is asked of us, is to know in our hearts that God has redeemed us in Christ, and promises the strength of God the Holy Spirit to each of us, as we work on behalf of God to do the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation for all God's people.
As we read the Beatitudes in Luke's Gospel today, we hear Jesus affirming those who are already blessed to be counted as among the Saints. The poor, the hungry, those who weep, those who love their enemies, and accept God's will in circumstances including those that are just contrary to what we think that they should be. All of us in one way or another have lived through those moments of being in need, being crushed and broken, and facing injustice, oppression and prejudice. Yet, Jesus tells us all, that we are blessed, and that God's reward is already there for us. It is in this moment that we find God's grace calling us to be saints, radically transformed for the work of God's compassion and mercy. In our Baptism, we have all received that redemption of Christ so that we all share together as members of Christ, as part of the Communion of Saints.
Ten years ago this weekend, The Episcopal Church consecrated and ordained Bishop V. Gene Robinson. The first openly gay Bishop in the Episcopal Church. His consecration and ordination has borne the fruit of the Holy Spirit to help LGBT people become more included in the ministry of the Church. Bishop Gene's voice has been, and continues to be heard amidst all the controversy in the Church over the issues surrounding of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression. Those of us who are LGBT have received the Good News of the Gospel, that we too are to be counted among the Communion of Saints, to serve and be served as part of Christ's Body, the Church. Among us are the poor, the hungry, those who mourn, the pure in heart, those in need of mercy and peace. Bishop Robinson's consecration and ordination was an act of God answering our prayers, to bring us hope and much grace as we continue the work of inclusion for all God's people.
On this All Saints Sunday, may we count ourselves as among the Communion of Saints. May we pray to know that we are one in Christ with one another, in all our diversity, arguing and calamity. Christ is God's presence and peace in the midst of the chaos. In Christ, is our hope, our faith, our Baptism, and all that God promises in this life, and in the life to come. May we claim the blessing of God who is + Father, Son and Holy Spirit + for ourselves and others around us.
Amen.
Prayers
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one
communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son
Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those
ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love
you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for All Saints Day, Book of Common Prayer, p. 245).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.818).
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).
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