Loading...Sermon November 5, 2017
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, LSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen, Newport, PA
All Saints Day Year A
//lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/HolyDays/AAllSaints_RCL.html
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. 1 John 3:1
Please be seated
I love taking my grandchildren on trips with me. I started when they were not even 2 years old and just for overnight when I lived in DC. Each year, I enjoy planning a trip, which is now usually one week. We go to Syracuse and the town where my mother was born. We’ve gone to Pittsburgh and Maine. We’ve gone to historical sites and to visit family.
They seem to enjoy these visits and vacations. They don’t seem to mind being away from home. They enjoy visiting family and friends. And oh the reunion that occurs when we get back to their home! Their parents come out to greet them before they’re out of the car. There is running to each other and great big hugs. Yes, they enjoy the fun we have and they love returning home.
This morning we hear in 1 John that we are children of God. We also hear it in our Gospel, Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Throughout Paul’s letters, he reminds the hearers that they are children of God. And the prayer Jesus taught us, begins, Our Father, denoting that we are children of God.
This image of God as parent… of God as close, intimate family…does appear occasionally in the Hebrew scriptures. It appears more frequently in the New Testament. Thinking of God as family was and probably still is different. Often we think of God as being removed from our lives. Addressing God as parent and we as God’s children makes it clear we and God are familiar. Our lives are bound up with each other.
We know not everyone has a wonderful family, so the image of God as parent can be difficult for some. Our human parents aren’t and weren’t always perfect. God is the perfect parent. God gives us life throughout all of our days. God gives us guidance throughout our lives. God gives us family – brothers and sisters – to walk through this earthly life with us. God gives us relationships and communities. God as parent reminds us that we are all related and connected.
God as parent reminds us that our true home is with God. Our true home is not on this earth. This earthly pilgrimage is just like the vacations I go on with my grandchildren. Yes, they are fun. Yes, we have our struggles and challenges. Most of the time, our trips are exciting, filled with wonder and new learnings about ourselves and about the world. Often we find ways to grow. We find ways to be of service. We find ways to spread the love of our parent, God, to others.
Yet, this time on earth is temporary, just like the vacation. Our time with God is eternal. Ultimately, we return home…to our true home that is with God. And oh what a reunion there is, I imagine. What joy and rejoicing as we run into the arms of God.
Today we remember all of those who have died and especially those whom we have loved and who guided us in the faith. Those who on their sojourn on earth loved us, guided us, and embodied the love of God. We miss them. At the same time, through our sorrow, we rejoice that they have returned home to be with their loving parent – God.
The singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran expresses this so beautifully in a song he wrote upon the death of his grandmother, whom he called mum. The words are in your bulletin and I’d like to play it for you today. A warning – almost every time I hear this song, I cry.
Supermarket Flowers
I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill
I threw the day old tea from the cup
Packed up the photo album Matthew had made
Memories of a life that's been loved
Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink
Dad always told me, "don't you cry when you're down"
But mum, there's a tear every time that I blink
Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know
A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved
So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah
You're home
I fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up
Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case
John says he'd drive then put his hand on my cheek
And wiped a tear from the side of my face
I hope that I see the world as you did cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived
So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah
You're home
Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings
And I know that when God took you back he said Hallelujah
You're home
Written by Ed Sheeran, Benjamin Levin, Johnny Mcdaid • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIB8EWqCPrQ
So sing Hallelujah as you remember your loved ones today. And know that when God took them back, God said, “Hallelujah, You’re home.”
Amen
