The Communion of Saints

This week finds several families of Resurrection grieving over the death of their loved ones.  Whether death comes after a long illness or suddenly, as it did to a 25-year-old man in a car accident, family and friends of each one who died still experience a personal loss.  Sorrow grips their hearts!  Even though Christians do not grieve as those who have no hope, as St. Paul tells us (1 Thess. 4:13), we do still grieve, and we do need comfort!

One of the petitions in the service for the Burial of the Dead pleads for the gift of increased faith in the midst of overwhelming circumstances: Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. The promise that Jesus died and rose again to win our salvation and that he will return one day to raise us from the dead is the core of our faith. However, when our hearts are heavy with grief, our faith may become clouded over, and therefore we pray for help to trust.

In addition, this prayer asks for help to believe in the communion of saints, which is the gathering of believers in Jesus Christ united in faith. Yes, it is none other than the Church! When we are bent over with the weight of sorrow we need help to believe that we are not alone, and assured that fellow believers are praying for us and supporting us. It is equally important that the rest of us are willing to BE the church, the communion of saints, joining hands with those in need, becoming an answer to their prayer.

The 1981 Special Olympics state finals were held in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Nearly 3,000 special athletes competed in summer games, in which caring was more important than winning. According to Bob Becker of The Grand Rapids Press, the events were run like those in any other track meet, with one exception. Each finish line was manned by what the special Olympians dubbed as "huggers." Their job, in addition to calling out the winners, was to encourage each one at the finish line with a hug and a pat on the back. Becker said that love was the key to the event's success.

In a similar way, you and I both know the key to the success of our life together in the Church is love, encouraging others in all circumstances of their lives.  Let the “huggers” step forward in times of joy as well as in times of sorrow. Let the confirmands, the graduates, the worship team, the ushers, the education leaders, the staff—receive your affirmation; at the end of any race we run in life, no matter how well we have run, we need a “hug!” May the Holy Spirit help us to trust and believe and then encourage us to BE the Church!

 Written by: Rev. Ron Freimark