Every year on the first Sunday of November, the Church pauses from its labors in order to fulfill one of her most solemn duties: to remember her saints. This day is set apart on the church’s calendar, and in the church’s life, to remember those who died in the faith and now live forever in God. Today, we remember those dearest to us who have died, whether recently or long ago. As a congregation, we remember our members and friends who have died and gone on to eternal life – and claim that though we are separated for a time, we remain united in the communion of saints, in the one Body of Christ.
Ephesians
However, this is a day not just to reflect on death, but on life. It is a day not just reflect on the great and final resurrection to eternal life, but on the resurrection life that God invites us to live here and now. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and our Gospel from Luke both speak about living as saints (yes, as sinners and saints at the same time) – but saints nonetheless – people claimed and blessed by God, people given a holy calling.
In our reading from Ephesians, Paul expresses deep gratitude for the Ephesians’ faith and their living of the Gospel. This was a congregation of new Christians. As one commentator writes, “because of their response to the Gospel, [the Ephesians] were experiencing a radical transformation of their personal and social identity. They were being resocialized into God’s purposes and family. Their new identity was in formation, and the letter is designed to guide them from their baptism toward their presentation as the unblemished bride of Christ [at their death].” Paul starts with God’s great cosmic plan and then locates within that plan the life of each believer: from baptism to resurrection. And so, Paul is tracing the arc, the trajectory, of the Christian life for these new believers and this nascent church.
And Paul’s wishes for the Ephesians (and for us) as we journey between baptism and resurrection are these:
- That we might have a spirit of wisdom and revelation (to be intelligent and discerning)
- That the eyes of our hearts enlightened (to be focused and clear)
- That we would know the hope to which God has called us (to see our calling)
- That we would know the immeasurable greatness of God’s power – the power of the resurrection that raised Jesus from the dead (endless energy, boundless strength.)
It’s all summed up in verse 11 – and I like the version found in the Bible translation The Message best: “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.” It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for – how we are to live and what we are to do in this life. The journey between baptism and resurrection is a journey of discovery – discovering who we are in Christ…and what we are living for (what we are here to do with the time and the gifts and the life we have been given.) Continue reading
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It’s a time honored tradition that every year leading up to Holy Week pastors and ministers tell old war stories of Holy Weeks past. Recently, a friend told me one of the better Easter stories I’ve heard.
