All Saints Sunday: What Is Holding Us Back?

Today's Scripture Readings

Revelation 7:9-17 (NRSV)

After this I, John, looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,singing,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

"Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from? "I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows. " Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (BCP., p.627)


1 John 3:1-3 (NRSV)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

 Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

Announcement

 

I have begun a new daily blog entitled Simple Reflections for A Deeper Spiritual Life.  My readers are welcome to click on that title and read the new blog.   I will continue to write this blog for Sundays and Holy Days.   Thank you for reading.   I hope you will continue reading here and at Simple Reflections.

 

 

Blog Reflection 

 

Thomas Keating in his book: The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience writes the following.

The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount contains a number of affirmations called the beatitudes that summarize Jesus' teaching about the truth nature of happiness. 

Hence, the emphasis in Jesus' ministry on repentance, which means "change the direction in which you are looking for happiness."  The beatitudes came out of the heart of Jesus when he looked at the multitudes  that were following him and realized with infinite compassion that "they were like sheep without a shepherd,"  all going their own way - that is, nowhere at a great rate.  "Jetting to nowhere" summarizes in modern language the projects of the first three energy centers.  The beatitudes give us some insight into how to dismantle them and to move toward true happiness (pages 94-95).

As Anglicans and Episcopalians, we believe in the world wide Communion of Saints.  Our believe is that "all saints" means exactly that.  All are saints with the potential for sainthood in the Reign of God in the here and now.  We are all part of that multitude that is beyond count in the Revelation of John. What makes us saints is the work of the grace of God in our lives.  As God's holy people, we are empowered by God's Holy Spirit live into an authentic expression of our Baptismal Vows to make a difference in the Church and society.

 

The Saints that have made up the Tradition of the Church were imperfect women and men just like we are.  They faced insurmountable challenges to live their faith while making many mistakes due to their own biases because of misinformation.  Yet, Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior as He is ours.   It was because of the redemption brought by the Paschal Mystery of Christ that they contributed to the evolving truth about Jesus and the Church.  That same mystery of salvation empowers us today, in this moment, in this place, for the purpose in which we are right now; as we are enriched by "the great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) that continue to give us an example of how to live holy lives.    

I believe the readings for All Saints Day point us to what being a Saint is about.  They tell us that the path to true happiness so as to follow Jesus; is about recognizing our need for God if we are to find fulfillment in our lives.   It is about recognizing the presence of Christ in all persons, and surrendering ourselves to God's will by trusting in God even when nothing in life seems to make sense.  It is in those moments that the unconditional and all inclusive love of God is never far away.  God is always reaching out to and for us through others.   How ready are we to respond to God?

Our world is riddled with violence, depression, darkness, prejudice and injustice.  None of it is of God's doing or making.  I do not agree with those who interpret Job 1 to suggest that "nothing evil happens to us that has not first passed through the throne of God."   Yet, God works God's will for our best interests through all of these things.  

 

Through the evil of racism for example, God inspired individuals like Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King to rise up in civil disobedience to make the case that African Americans should not be regarded as second class citizens.   The families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown and those who want justice for their deaths carry on the legacy of the civil rights movement today.

 

A few individuals at Stonewall in 1969 rose up to say no to the police brutality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; and so began the movement towards a greater equality under the law.  Their historical work gave rise to the work of Harvey Milk, Louie Clay, Bishop V. Gene Robinson and more.

The parents of Matthew Shepard would not allow their grief of the brutal beating that caused his death to keep them from doing something to benefit others.   Judy Shepard's devotion to Matthew helped her to speak up for the safety of LGBT People to be kept safer through the Hate Crimes Bill signed into law just a few years ago.  She continues her advocacy today.

 

One woman who's child was killed because of a drunk driver put herself forward to begin Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).  

 

Individuals who are tired of the injustice of "illegal" immigrants being deported out of our country, are continuing to call for immigration reform.   

 

Episcopalians who have had it with schools and communities going through the horror of violence out of control at gun point have organized Episcopalians Against Gun Violence.  We do not rejoice about the violence, but we can embrace the transformational grace of God and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to bring about God's Reign of justice, equality and peace for all people.

Today, in this moment God is calling upon us to make a difference in the Church and society.  All of us have the opportunity to do our part as members of the Communion of Saints, by responding to God's movement in our lives.   Let us all pray for each other that we will have the strength to respond in obedience out of love for the honor and glory of God.  

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.  The Book of Common Prayer.  p.245).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.260).

All Saints Sunday: Beatitude Is Our Attitude

Today's Scripture Readings

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."

Psalm 149 (BCP., p.807)


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:

"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

"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."

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).

All Saints Day: Surrounded by the Cloud of Witnesses

Today's Scripture Verses


Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Blog Reflection

This year there will be two blog reflections written on All Saints.   Today's entry and the one this coming Sunday, which can also be called All Saints Sunday.  Today's meditation comes from the Lectionary used at Matins (or Morning Prayer).  This amazing reading from Hebrews 12:1-2 talks about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.  The symbolic imagery created by those words cannot be overstated.

Many modern theologians have given over the idea of Heaven being above us, and Hell being below us, to the idea that the Communion of Saints surrounds us, and that God's Holy Spirit communicates for us and with us.  The great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us is made up of Saints who are both visible and living, and others who have passed beyond our sight and share in the Beatific vision of God in all glory.  The Anglican World-Wide Communion of Saints invites all of us to throw off the sins that keep us from freely loving God, neighbor and ourselves with a total abandonment to the will of God.  The Saints have looked to Jesus who is the "pioneer and perfecter of our faith."   The faith to know God, and live by the words and actions of Jesus, who has given the Holy Spirit to the whole Church in it's history and even now at this moment.  

If the Saints who make up the cloud of witnesses are calling us to live and imitate Jesus, so we too are Saints cooperating with the Spirit in our own lives and communities.  In our common Baptism and sharing in the one Bread and one Cup of the Lord's Supper, we are united to the Saints of all ages, as they are united to us in the One Body of Christ which is the Church.  This is such good news.  It means that all of us are included and no one has been excluded from the opportunity to serve God in faith, hope and love.  The Saints who include many individuals, women and men, LGBT and straight, of one religion or another, some who struggled greatly with who they were and how they love others, help us in the midst of our struggles to put Jesus Christ in the center of our lives and serve others in His Name.

It is important to note that each of the Saints understood the Christian Faith in unique ways.  Nothing said they had to agree, all that was important was their faith in God and desire to live holy lives.   Given that they are among our great cloud of witnesses, can we even in 2013 do any different?


Prayer

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, Book of Common Prayer, p.245)  

All Saints Sunday: Saints of All Kinds Search for Union with God

Today's Scripture Readings

Wisdom of Solomon 3: 1-9 (NRSV)

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,

and no torment will ever touch them.

In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,

and their departure was thought to be a disaster,

and their going from us to be their destruction;

but they are at peace.

For though in the sight of others they were punished,

their hope is full of immortality.

Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,

because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;

like gold in the furnace he tried them,

and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.

In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,

and will run like sparks through the stubble.

They will govern nations and rule over peoples,

and the Lord will reign over them forever.

Those who trust in him will understand truth,

and the faithful will abide with him in love,

because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,

and he watches over his elect.

Psalm 24 (BCP., p. 613)


Revelation 21: 1-6a (NRSV)

I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

"See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them as their God;

they will be his peoples,

and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away."

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end."

John 11: 32-44 (NRSV)

When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"


Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

Blog Reflection

Every person born and living has the potential to be a saint.  Those of us who celebrate our Christian Faith by the Sacrament of Baptism with in the Anglican Tradition know that we believe in the world wide Communion of Saints that include those presently living and who have gone before us.   We also believe that sainthood can be found in others who do not share in our faith.   The world is a better place because of individuals like Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lamas and many other holy people. 

Sainthood may not even be a matter of faith at all.  Many who would call themselves atheists, often live a life of service to others in various ways that put many Creed praying Christians to shame.  

For those of us who do celebrate our Faith as Christians, we have the opportunity to live as saints by our acknowledgement of God, and God's saving work in Jesus Christ and presence by way of the Holy Spirit.  The Scriptures challenge us to consider the possibility that salvation is not only a matter of faith by itself, but it expresses itself in prayer and work on behalf of those who are poor, oppressed, displaced and hurting so that they can experience some kind of healing and reconciliation.  

St. Benedict in the Prologue to his Rule challenges those who who come to Listen with the ears of their heart, and to run (not walk) with a sense of urgency while we have the light of life, so that the darkness may not overtake us (John 12:35).  As we are told who will dwell on God's holy mountain, we are also told "What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of his grace."  The Christian has an understanding that what it takes to be a saint in the here and now, is because God has placed a desire for God with in our hearts, and it is our responsibility and privilege to respond to that desire.

In the Christian Tradition, by way of Reason, those who follow the Christian model of sainthood are those who with Christ bring new life, hope and purpose such as he did in today's Gospel.  The raising of Lazarus tells us that Christ gave new life and hope even to those who are dead.  In Christ, even the dead have a face and a name.  They are not forgotten by God, even if we do not necessarily remember them.  So, I think All Saints Sunday is a great day to ask ourselves the question: If Jesus saw the dignity of Lazarus while he was dead and in the grave, exactly what business do Christians have to "strive for peace and justice for all people, and uphold the dignity of every human being?"   There is a reason why our reply to that question in the Baptismal Covenant is "We will, with God's help." 

All of us because of our immaturity by way of sin, need the grace of God to grow up to know that we can seek union with God in whatever capacity we live in.  Whether we are LGBT or straight and of a single gender in body and mind at birth, of another race, religion, health status, wealth status or just taking things one day or one moment at a time, we all  have the opportunity to encounter God in our own lives and through the lives of others.  It is with God's help that we will find God and love God, and serve God in others.  

At times our problem is that we think we know how God should come to and/or respond to us.   We want to determine God's image in our own minds and hearts, including by the way of our own prejudices and behaviors.  God comes by way of God's will, calling us to conform to God's image of God, ourselves and others.  That is why God can and is present in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people. God blesses their union with each other in their romantic, emotional and physical relationships.   When anyone of any sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression seeks to love God in another person, with unselfish love and compassion, God is there loving and being loved.   Placing anti-marriage amendments on ballots to suppress that love because of our selfish attitudes towards others or arrogance as to think that we know God better than LGBT people or anyone else does, is nothing more than idolatry of ourselves and our own understandings.  

Maybe as we go forward this week, we might ask for God's help for us to be open to who and where God will search us out.  To see in every person, including ourselves the potential for sainthood.   To pray and receive the Holy Spirit so that we too may be a person that is life-giving where there is darkness, destruction, death and discrimination.

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, Book of Common Prayer, p. 245).

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your
faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant
that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly
promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.  (Proper 26, Book of Common Prayer, p. 235).

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).

All Saints Sunday

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

 

 

Blog Reflection

I really like the name of today's feast.  All Saints Sunday. The word ALL is such an inclusive word.  

As Anglicans one of the things that distinguishes us from the Roman tradition is that we believe that everyone both those who have gone before and we who are here now are part of the world wide Communion of Saints.

As I wrote in my blog this past Tuesday, November 1st, being a Saint is not a matter of knowing all the great theological meanings of everything from the Trinity to the second coming.  Being a Saint is about accepting the mission of loving God, our neighbors and ourselves, and recognizing the God has implanted God's greatest gift of love in every woman, man and child.  

Today's Gospel reading tells us who the Saints are.  

 

The Saints include those who are seeking fulfillment within our poverty of spirit.   

 

The Saints include those who mourn the loses and hurts of this life.  

 

The Saints are those who see things for what they are and engage our culture, including the powerful and greedy to think about those less fortunate than themselves.  

 

The Saints are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice and equality for those oppressed by the Church and society.  

 

The Saints can be found among those who are merciful, even when showing mercy is so difficult. 

 

There are Saints who are pure of heart among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people who seek to know the truth about our sexual orientation, gender identity/expression within our relationship with God and God's Church.

There are Saints in both religious and civil groups working very hard to be peacemakers amidst incredible conflict.  The Occupy movement is full of Saints, braving the elements, being subjected to police brutality and civil injustice to call upon the 1% to stop subjecting the 99% to their rules and politics.  Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, Mary Glasspool and many of various church groups are being peacemakers between church conventions and LGBT people who still want to draw close to God and find their peace and serenity within the heart of Jesus Christ.

There can be found Saints among LGBT people, immigrants, women, people of different races, religions, cultures, languages etc, who face injustices because of who they are and what they believe.  They experience every thing from verbal assault, political, religious and social oppression and violence.  Many are told there is no way that God can love or save them, unless they believe, pray, act, or think a particular way.  Yet, in their/our humility, we go on to work towards marriage equality, immigration reform, women's rights in the work places, health care and freedom from violence in a society where male privilege legislates the laws about women.  

Being a Saint is not all about being extremely devoted or well versed.  Being a Saint does not mean we are so holy that we have achieved total immunity from human weakness and/or the desires to "get even" or have it all our way or the highway.  

Sainthood recognizes that we all have our limitations and hurts, but we find the courage and fortitude from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the good things that have come from the Christian religion (or any religion for that matter) and make seeking the common good of all as being far more important.  Sainthood involves being sometimes brutally honest with the Church and those who govern us, by calling them to be truer to what they are called to in terms of becoming a more diverse and inclusive Church and society.

On this All Saints Sunday, may we be found as faithful servants of the Gospel message to love God, neighbor and self, so that our world and Church may be a better, more inclusive place for all.

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. (Book of Common Prayer, page 245).

O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.(Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 101).

All Saints' Day: Sainthood is About Love

There will be two blogs about All Saints.  Today's blog on the actual feast day and this coming Sunday when the Episcopal Church gives us permission to celebrate All Saints.  Today's blog post will reflect on the New Testament Reading.   Sunday's blog post reflection will be about the Gospel Reading.


Scriptural Basis

1 John 3:1-3 (NRSV)

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Blog Reflection

This All Saints Day gives us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the loving nature of God.  The love of God is so immeasurable that there is nothing about any particular person, good or bad by which God deems anyone unworthy of God's love.

The love of God expressed itself most profoundly when God's perfect revelation in Jesus Christ gave his life, blood and body for the sins of all humankind.  Even though God knew that humankind was slothful, greedy, hateful and full of violence and disobedience, it did not stop Jesus from loving us all to the point of offering his life on behalf of all God's people.

Jesus expressed God's love so completely that there was no one, not even those who plotted against him that Jesus did not love in some way.  Even Judas who betrayed Jesus, was someone that Jesus loved very deeply.

Sainthood is really not about knowing and writing the mysteries of God eloquently.  Though knowledge and articulation are gifts of God. 

Being a Saint does not require total belief in only one religion that dominates all others and makes them untrue or insignificant.

The call to be a Saint is not answered by only those who are considered devout and especially religious as in rituals and through the practice of weekly, daily and yearly routines. 

Being a Saint requires nothing more than love.  To love God, neighbor and self.   Even if you don't necessarily believe in God for whatever your reason, if you live your life with the ambition to love unselfishly and sacrificially for another person or any group of people, you are a Saint.   And even if you find love very difficult, yet in your heart you desire to love in your own particular way,  in God's eye's you are a Saint.

It is for this reason why I continue to devote time to this blog.  Love is something that originates in the huge heart of God.  Whether the heart that loves knows God's Name for as long as one can remember, or just cannot understand how God exists with all the violence and malice of humankind.  The love that is within an individuals heart that desires to love another and be loved in return is among God's most precious of all Saints. 

The love that is within the hearts, minds and bodies of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people is there because of God's unique gift of love for all humankind.  The desire to use that love to love another, and to dedicate one's life to equal justice and inclusion for all who remain marginalized by the Church and society, is a Saintly love.

In Sandy Patti's contemporary song: "In Heaven's Eye's" are the words; "In Heaven's eyes, there are no losers."  LGBTQ people, immigrants, Native Americans, women, people of color, those who are without jobs, health care, elderly, sick, well, write and/or speak different languages and individuals of other religions and ways of life, are all Saints as they seek the common good of their neighbors as well as themselves.

As we go through this All Saints Day, perhaps we should ask ourselves about God's love.  How do we experience God's love in our lives?   How do we share love with other people as they are?  How do we share the unique love that God has given to each and everyone of us, to those whom the Church and society considers unlovable?   How do we put that love into action?  How do we think of and/or treat others who love differently than ourselves?

We are all Saints. Oh Yes!!!  You too are a loving Saint.


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, page 245).

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, page 815).

All Saints Sunday: We Are Called to Be Saints Here and Now

One of the more destructive attitudes for Christians is "Let others get it done."  When called upon to do justice for the oppressed if our response is: "Not me" the next question should be "If not us, then who?"

This past election season has me burnt out like so many others.  We all worked so hard.  The results are not very comforting.  If we do not take what happened this past Tuesday as a wake up call for progressives to get active in challenging those who lead us to do better, then who will?  In case some folks forgot, many of the saints that the Church celebrates on this All Saints Sunday were thought of as total morons by many inside and outside the Church.  They were unusual.  They were thought of as outcasts or counter cultural.   They often drove the conservatives crazy.  They endured hate from many in the Church.  Many of the saints stood up against Bishops and national rulers.   Many saints lost their lives because they were determined to not stop telling folks in the Church and society that what they were doing was wrong.

What are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer people referred to today?  Social deviants was a name I heard in the movie: Milk.  Many falsely and ignorantly accuse us of incest and pedophilia.   Many are blamed for the crimes and hatred of Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans/Episcopalians.  Whole church and political bodies write insulting and hateful words towards those of us who are LGBTQ.

In the readings for this All Saints Sunday Out in Scripture reminds us: "The texts for today may seem unusual for an All Saints Day celebration. These texts remind us that not all saints are dead saints. We are called to live lives of integrity and holiness now, today!"

Members of the LGBT community must remember on this day of celebration that there are saints, known and unknown, living and dead, gay and straight, who encourage us in our struggle to affirm our humanity. This inheritance is not just for the few. It is for all of us. Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 ties these two texts together when it says: “But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever — forever and ever” (7:18).

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1: 11:  

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.

Regardless of our sexual or gender diversity, Christ has selected us as among God's redeemed people.  Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has claimed each of us as God's own.   As so many of us LGBTQ people have maintained our belief in Jesus amidst attitudes of bias by many in the Church and beyond, we are claiming the gift of Christ's redeeming work and continuing to carry it out.   The work of God's redeeming love is carried on as we attempt to bring justice and equality for all members of our communities, as well as others who are marginalized.   Our Gospel of Luke 6:20-31 is Jesus' Sermon on the Plain.  Out in Scripture offers the following thoughts about the Gospel reading.

The gospel passage, Luke 6:20-31, is Luke’s famous Sermon on the Plain, the analogue to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:3-7:29). Yet, there are a couple important differences. First, Jesus directs his words only to disciples. In Matthew, the disciples and the crowd function as the audience. Second, unlike Matthew, Luke’s language is raw and direct. Instead of Matthew’s nine beatitudes, here we only encounter four. Further, Luke’s beatitudes address the causes of social, political and economic oppression: poverty, hunger, sadness and hatred. His series of woes chastise those who believe they can maintain the status quo (Luke 6:24-26).

Luke’s sermon is a continuation of Jesus’ declaration that he came to bring release and to set others free (4:18-19). This text reminds us that we as disciples must do the same. Sainthood is not something reserved for the spiritually evolved, those who can think and act beyond the sphere of the everyday. No. Sainthood is an everyday matter. It is something experienced by people living on the margins of society. Many of us have no difficulty affirming the poor, the hungry and the sad. The problem arises for us when we get to Luke 6:22: “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you . . . .” It disturbs us because far too often we participate in these activities ourselves. We have even made it socially acceptable.

No one in the LGBT community can forget the recent wave of laws meant to protect the sanctity of marriage. In state after state, hatred was codified as the law of the land. The good news today is that in God’s eyes the targets of such hatred are blessed. It reminds us that the oppressed must never become the oppressor. Love must be extended to even those we hate. Help must be extended to all. Although it may be a rare experience, saintliness is something a disciple must enact everyday.

I am sure that no one here will forget very soon at least the sweeping losses we have had in Iowa.   Here in Minnesota we have a very real threat looming to all of the LGBT rights we have been gaining up to this point. We thought for sure that we were going to be spending 2011 winning marriage equality. Instead it looks like we are going to be working really hard to keep a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage off our ballots for 2012.   As angry as these realities make us, and rightly so, they should not result in our relaxing our efforts for equality.  They also should not cause us to become like our opponents resorting to violence or cruel rhetoric.   We should indeed speak up when they state things about LGBT people and defend our communities and our equal rights.  We must also not only be ready to work for our own justice and equality, but also the equality of Muslims, illegal immigrants, women and many other minorities.  We need to be looking at how the gay community often puts our transgender friends on the back side and literally pays no attention to how their equal rights are so often neglected.   The gay and transgender communities, need to be thoughtful and respectful to bisexual members of our communities, as well as those who are metro sexual, a sexual or even pan sexual.  It is more important than ever that if we are going to be working towards equality, that equal rights for all people be our concern.

Saints were and are now those who are willing to risk for the sake of ourselves and others who need to know that they are valued and loved.  As people who embrace diversity it is in our best interest to keep learning about others in our communities and beyond our communities so that we can become helpful to others as they become helpful to us.  One of the most important ways in which we get rid of prejudice and cruel rhetoric and behavior is to learn about people that we do not know or understand.  This past month into this month I have been learning more and more about transgender people.  The more I am learning, the more attitudes and ideas I once had that were not respectful to transgender people are going away.

Saints are not only those who challenge others to change, but who are willing to challenge ourselves to change.  Part of "creating change" is to be allowing change to happen to us, so that when we call others to change we are the example of change that we want others to be open to experience.  

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, page 245).

Faithful God, Our True Witness,
    Give us the strength and wisdom to live lives
        of love, peace and acceptance
        in a world fraught with hatred, dissension and exclusion.
    Help us to reach out and love
        both those who are oppressed and those who oppress.
    Guide our journey
        that we may live as saints
        in remembrance of those saints who have lived before,
        those saints who live among us, and those who are to come.
    In the name of Jesus, Amen. (Prayerfully Out in Scripture).

All Saints Day: You Too Are A Saint

Before I post the Bible Reading from today's Daily Office, I want to inform my readers that I will be writing two blog posts about All Saints.  One will be today the official date for All Saints, the other will be this upcoming Sunday, November 7th when The Episcopal Church allows us to celebrate All Saints on that day.  The blog for All Saints Sunday will be based on the readings used at the Eucharistic Liturgy.


Hebrews 11:32-40,12:1-2 (NRSV)

And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, without us, be made perfect.

Hebrews 12 (NRSV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 

The history of this great celebration of All Saints has a history that dates back to the middle ages.  The history dates back as far as 270 as Christians wanted to: "celebrate the intercommunion of the living and the dead in the Body of Christ by a commemoration of those who, having professed their faith in the living Christ in days, past, had entered into the nearer presence of their Lord, and especially of those who had crowned their profession with heroic deaths..." (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 662).

Vicki K.Black writes in her book: "Welcome to the Church Year: An Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church:"  

It is a day for remembering our loved ones who have gone before us, it is also a day for celebrating our fellow Christians in the pew beside us.  On this day we rejoice in the communion of all the saints, here and now, from before time and forever.


Celebrated on November 1, All Saints' Day follows All Hallow's Eve (Halloween) and precedes all Souls Day, now rather euphemistically called the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed. In the Middle Ages "saints" were defined more narrowly than in the New Testament, which uses the word to describe all those who believe in Christ and are baptized in his name, so All Souls' Day was developed as an extension of All Saints' Day.  It was a feast day for the rest of us, so to speak, not just the Christians who are recognized as exemplary witnesses to the gospel.  But as the church has recovered more of the early church's vocabulary, theology, and liturgies in recent decades, the feast of All Saints has become a day for celebrating the ongoing communion of all believers, both those living today on earth and in eternity's heaven." (Page 122)

The cloud of witnesses that the writer to the Hebrews speaks of. includes those who carry the light of justice, inclusion and a message of hope for and with all of us today.   If you read through the stories of most of the Saints we commemorate on various days, we will see that many of them like us today were far from perfect.  They were not necessarily nice people.  Many Saints had and have today as many if not more enemies within the Church as we have on the outside.  


So it is no surprise that the Saints who are preaching the Gospel of inclusion for people of all races, immigration status' ,  genders, sexual orientations, gender identities/expressions etc are experiencing resistance from in and outside the Church.   When people who are oppressed by society and the Church speak up, those who are so privileged resist those who are not so privileged.   Human nature is at work in those who lead the many church communities within Christianity, as it is in our Government or the elections that we will hold tomorrow.  The Outline of the Faith (also known as the Catechism) reminds us that: "The communion of saints is the whole family of God, the living and the dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer, and praise." (Book of Common Prayer, page 862).  Many leaders within the Church still have not figured out that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people are saints whom the Church loves and hurts.  


The LGBTQ communities are communities of saints who are alive and others who have gone before us.  We are communities of diverse people with different belief's orientations, gender identities/expressions, sexual behaviors, body types, abilities, races, economic conditions etc.  Yet, we are among the world wide communion of Saints that the Church celebrates today.  Because in spite of all the persecution, hate, prejudice, violence, heart break and disappointment we have experienced, we choose to keep moving forward believing in who God has created us to be, and loving in the way we were made to love.  That is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the virtue of Fortitude.  Even if the leaders of the Catholic church cannot apply their own teachings to diverse groups of people.  The LGBTQ communities maintain our determination to keep on working for justice and equal rights even if President Obama has deeply disappointed us, or the Archbishop of Canterbury cannot see the danger of his rhetoric towards the Episcopal Church.  Many of us continue to believe in a loving and inclusive God, even though many conservative Christians have falsely told us that God hates us or will reject us because of our sexual and gender diversity.  It takes a saintly attitude to keep believing and trying, and hoping in the midst of such injustice.  


Every one of us is a Saint of God.  We have been given invaluable gifts by God and in others who surround us with love, support and community.  Even if some groups of Christianists and/or arch-conservative Catholics/Anglicans think we should all die because of their own ignorance. The truth is God loves us the way we are, because God made us that way.  Most of us who have spent part of our lives running from who we are, know the pain and near death experiences we have had trying to change what is natural about ourselves.  The fact that so many of us have come out, found love or keep on searching no matter how many times we get burned, means that God has blessed us as Saints.  Today, each of us needs to celebrate that.

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, page 245).

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, alleluia! (Hymn 287, Hymnal 1982).

All Saints Day: All Are Included, All Share

We celebrate all of the Saints who have proclaimed and who continue to proclaim that God's perfect revelation came to us in Jesus Christ, who was born, died, and rose again. These are the women and men, the black, the white, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT), the ordained, the lay people, volunteers, the martyrs, the monks, nuns, religious, the hard working family and so many more whom I have not named who have contributed to the work of the Gospel. This day is not only for the Saints who have already gone before us, it is for all those who today continue to live out the mission of Christ in the here and now.


The reading from the Prophet Isaiah says: "On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on the day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."(Isaiah 25: 6-9, NRSV).

Notice throughout this reading, how many times the word all has appeared. This means that God's graces are poured out in abundance to all people. The salvation of God for the human race is intended for all, without exception. But this is not the case for many people who come seeking God through various Christian churches. Instead of finding a place of worship that is inclusive for all, many people of color or LGBT individuals, people who are challenged physically, emotionally, psychologically find within the walls of many Christian communities, people who are cold, exclusive and with the attitude of "if only you were what we think you should be, we could accept you."

Many of the Saints who have served God's Church over the centuries, and those who continue to serve are people who are broken by sin in one way or another. Even with the great graces of Baptism and the Eucharist, our capacity to allow God to sanctify and change us by the power of the Holy Spirit is still limited. There are places in our lives, as there have been in the lives of the Saints, that need to experience conversion. That Saints who have made the Tradition of the Church what it is today, all experienced lack of understanding in one way or another. Just think of how the Church at one time used Scripture to defend the slavery of African Americans. Through the use of Scripture, tradition and reason, the Church has since come to realize that slavery of any group of people was an intrinsic evil. The Church has a completely different understanding of the role of women than we once did. So the Church is evolving it's understanding of the role and place of LGBT individuals.

In Psalm 24 we read in this processional Hebrew hymn those who climb the mountain of the Lord in worship. The Psalmist particularly encourages "Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully."(Vs 4). Yet, how many LGBT individuals are told to "hide" who they are? Look at the work of ex-gay ministries like Courage and Exodus that teach LGBT individuals to "speak falsely" of themselves not as men and women with a sense of dignity or integrity, but tell them to "change" who "God did not create them to be." In so doing such ministries contradict the very nature of Scripture. In the Wisdom of Solomon chapter 11 verse 24 we read: "For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it." God has created all people including LGBT individuals out of the depth of God's love. LGBT cannot offer anything to God other than who they are, and what they are. As LGVG people were created out of love, they must also offer themselves up in love. LGBT individuals are a delight in the eyes of God, when they offer up their loving relationships in healthy and wholesome ways. To pretend to be anything or anyone other than who LGBT are would be to offer up things that are "false" and "deceitful."

Our Gospel reading for today takes is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.(See John 11:32-44). God sets Lazarus free from the grave that held him down and kept him from living his full reality. Jesus called for the stone to be rolled away, where Lazarus had laid dead for four days. And Jesus called to Lazarus as I believe he calls to LGBT people: "Come out." This particular image of the tomb can be an excellent example of the closets that many LGBT people live in. We hide dead in our closets with our real selves waiting to come alive in a new way. The communities that we live in, include our families, friends, churches and jobs make our staying in our tomb like closets a necessity. We place a linen cloth over our mouths made of fear. While in the closets we stifle the Holy Spirit's call to live our lives honestly and openly.

When we finally accept God's call to come out, we can finally embrace the reality of the life that God has given us. We can breath a new air free from our burial clothes. As we come out, we work to embrace new communities of Faith that embrace LGBT individuals. These faith communities can include the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the ELCA, the Disciples of Christ, and many United Methodist Church's. And there are many communities and organizations that embrace LGBT people and work to help them develop healthy attitudes towards themselves. Opportunities such as the Gay Men's Chorus, the Human Rights Campaign, Equality America, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Dignity USA, Integrity USA, Lutherans Concerned and PFLAG. All of these organizations have opportunities for LGBT people and their supporters to find others who will support them. LGBT people who come out, do not have to be isolated in the bars or promiscuous sexual relationships. Gay and lesbian couples do not have to feel like there is no place for them, accept in their homes away from building communities around them.

When we finally accept the call of Jesus to live our lives the way God made us to, we can work to improve not only our lives, but the lives of others who are marginalized. This includes speaking up for those without medical insurance, adequate housing and jobs. LGBT people along with all people of good will need to hold our national and religious leaders responsible when they seek the good of themselves rather than seeking justice and peace for the people they were elected to serve. This is how the work of the Saints made the Church what it is. Working for justice and peace for all is how the Saints of today carry the mission of the Church into the future.

Everyone is called to Sainthood. Everyone, every day has the opportunity and calling to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. We will not always get it right. We will not always say the right things, do the right things, and get the message. However, we can accept the call to continue listening and at no time assume that we can just sit comfortably while others continue to experience injustice. The opportunities for becoming Saints comes in our work places, our churches, our political institutions, our homes, families and all kinds of relationships. How will we turn an ordinary moment into an extraordinary opportunity to do the work of the Gospel?

Redeemer,
you risked it all to love those who hated you.
You present us with a great cloud of saints
who have gone before us
as witnesses to your divine love.
Help us to love as you did, and they did,
with reckless abandon and holy wisdom.
Give us courage when standing for love's demands.
Provide us the strength to persevere
even in those times
when it means risking it all. Amen.
(Taken from Out in Scripture by the Human Rights Campaign for All Saints Day).