Sermon: "The Parade of Promise"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

All Saints’ Sunday is one of my favorite celebrations of the Church Year. It is a time that we look at the big picture of the Christian community. We commemorate the communion of saints through time and across the world. We see ourselves as part of a fellowship that transcends our particular time and our particular place. For, you see, we too are part of this big picture.

Today we remember all those saints who have gone before us and provided examples for us. And, I need to say here that the meaning of the word “saint” is open to some question. St. Paul refers to all church members as “saints”. He addresses his letters to “all the saints” in a particular church community. On the other hand, “saints” may refer to those people of special virtue or recognition … people who have been important witnesses to Jesus Christ in their day. Both these understandings of the word “saint” are biblically appropriate. What we celebrate today is our part in that fellowship, and, in addition, we give thanks for the saints themselves, whichever definition we accept.

One theme of All Saints is therefore expressed at the beginning of our first reading: “Let us now sing the praises of famous men” (44:1). We should remember and praise women of the Faith as well, for places of honor appropriately have been held by both men and women in our heritage. To those folks – those saints of the past – we give honor and praise today.

This special day is being enhanced in a significant way in our worship today. As we baptize a new Christian and as we confirm people into the Episcopal Church, we also – all of us – renew our own Baptismal Covenant with God. All of us, therefore, claim our places in God’s wonderful communion of saints on this occasion.

With every new baptism and confirmation, the big picture across time enfolds an even bigger one. The communion of saints expands into the years to come, with great promise. And all of us are enriched and strengthened by the growth of this fellowship.

We need to recognize that each generation in its turn is the most important one. And, to illustrate this point, I want to tell you a story … a favorite of mine.

There is a legend that tells of Jesus and a conversation he had with the angel Gabriel following the Resurrection. Gabriel approached Jesus and said, “Master, you must have suffered terribly down on earth.” Jesus replied that he had indeed suffered a great deal. Gabriel then asked, “And, do all the people know and appreciate how you loved them and what you did for them?” And Jesus answered, “Not yet. Right now only a handful of people in Palestine know.”

Gabriel was perplexed. He asked, “Then what have you done to let everyone know about your love for them?” Jesus replied, “I’ve asked Peter, James, John, and a few other friends to tell other people about me. Those people will spread the word, too. Then, ultimately, all people will have heard about my life and what I have done.”

Now, Gabriel frowned and looked rather skeptical, for he knew the stuff of which people were made. He said, “Yes, but what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if people who come after them forget? What if people in centuries to come don’t tell others about you? What will you do then?”

And Jesus answered, “I haven’t made any other plans. I’m counting on them” (“Parables”, Jan 1984).

Each generation within the communion of saints is crucial. Every one is dependent on every other one. In a sense, all those generations of Christians before us – going back to Christ himself – have been leading up to us and to our time in history. And, lest we become too puffed up, we need to realize that we serve a similar purpose for Christians who come after us. Christ has no other plans. He is counting on us … and on the part we play in the communion of saints.

Our Gospel reading is the beginning of what is called “the Sermon on the Mount.” This section of the Gospel sometimes is referred to as “The Compendium of Christ’s doctrine” or “The Magna Charta of the Kingdom” or “The Manifesto of the King.” It has a great deal to do with the fellowship that we have talked about this morning – the communion of saints.

In all probability, the Sermon on the Mount was not one sermon preached at one time. Rather, it is the compilation of many of Jesus’ sermons – a kind of summary of his preaching. Thus, this section is all the more important, for it takes us, as it were, to the feet of our Lord … not just on one occasion, but throughout his ministry.

Also, notice that this “sermon” is spoken by Jesus to his closest followers. It is the summary of his teaching to them – what Jesus would have them know and remember. One commentator has written that “the Sermon on the Mount is nothing less than the concentrated memory of many hours of heart to heart communion between the disciples and their Master” (Barclay, Matthew, p 82).

Thus, this is a highlight of Christian heritage, a focal point for all who would follow Christ, an important group of directions for the communion of saints.

The Beattitudes, which we read today, begin the Sermon on the Mount. They are like the Bill of Rights for the whole Constitution. They explain some of the important principles. They offer guidelines which direct practical Christianity. They speak of blessedness – or, happiness – and of essential, personal Christian living.

Therefore, the Beattitudes in our Gospel relate something about sainthood to us. They offer characteristics of people who are included in the communion of saints. The Beattitudes are like a mirror in which we may observe how closely we follow Christ. They show the pathway for the communion of saints – past, present, and future.

That holy fellowship is led by Christ himself. We have much to be thankful for in this parade of promise, the communion of saints.

Therefore, thanks be to God for all those saints who have walked before us and who have shown us the way. Thanks be to God for their lives, their witness, and their faithfulness. May God grant us the wisdom to learn from them – from their good examples and from their mistakes as well. And may God grant us the grace to teach – by word, example, and deed – those Christians who will follow us in the way … the way of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for the communion of all the saints and for our place in that fellowship! Amen.

Copyright © 2002 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee