Nov 1st 2009 - Oh When the Saints

Hebrews 12: 1-2, 22-24

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, ²looking 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.

²²But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, ²³and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

“Message in Media” is the video shown at the 8:30 a.m. worship service each week. Today’s video is from The movie Entertaining Angels, a true story that shows the faith and faults of one courageous woman named Dorothy Day. The film demonstrates how one person with a giving heart can have a lasting effect on society.  Her passion gave them hope. Her commitment changed their lives. 

Plot Outline: Dorothy lives hard, makes mistakes, and endures the consequences. Yet the unquenchable fire burning within her cannot be contained. Dorothy wants to make a difference. During the Depression, she vows to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and tend the sick. Easily said. Not easily done when her total finances amount to 97 cents in a battered canister. Yet Dorothy persists, walking on frequently stormy waters of faith. In this scene we’re about to view, Dorothy comes home to see her friend Maggie stealing her entire savings….

(following the message in media)

If you have Catholicism or Lutheranism in your background, please raise your hand.

I have a deeply spiritual and dedicated Catholic friend who gifted my family with blest medals from a holy place in Italy. The medals are images of Mary. What a wonderful gift that I had no idea what to do with?!  Just what do Protestants believe about saints?

In order to answer the question as well as provide relevant information for our faith today, we need to look back in history.

October 31 – All Hallows Eve, a 3,000 year old event coming out of Ireland and being practiced in celebrations, in acts of evil and crime, in families and neighborhoods through the centuries.

October 31 – Reformation Day, a 491 year old event coming out of Wittenberg, Germany.  It was 1517 when an act of Christian dedication would change world history forever.

You see, October 31 commemorates Martin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of a church, and it triggered the movement in world history known as the protestant Reformation.  

Through the centuries, traditions change and deepen, and somewhere along the way it’s hard to remember what was being protested against as well as what important doctrines all Christians hold in common.

The Feast of All Saints is a holy day of the Church honoring all saints, known and unknown. This is much like the American holidays Veterans Day and Presidents Day, where many people are honored on one day. On All Saints Day, we celebrate these saints of the Lord, and ask for their prayers and intercessions. The whole concept of All Saints Day is tied in with the concept of the Communion of Saints.

Last Sunday we read the Apostle’s Creed. As part of it, we said “I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints.

Just a note of clarification, the word “catholic” is spelled with a small “C” and it means “universal” – we believe in the holy universal church.

The communion of saints is the belief that all of God's people, on heaven, earth, are connected in a communion. Now, Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe that the saints of God are just as alive as you and I, and are constantly interceding on our behalf through prayer.

Generally, protestant Christians do not pray to saints or ask them to intercede on our behalf. Instead, Jesus Christ fills that role between us and God.

In the Catholic faith, there are thousands of canonized saints, that is those individuals officially recognized by the Church as holy men and women worthy of imitation. Because miracles have been associated with these people, and their lives have been fully examined and found holy by the Church, we can be assured they are prime examples of holiness, and powerful intercessors before God on our behalf. There are also many patron saints, guardians or protectors of different areas and states of life. For instance, St. Vitus is the patron saint against oversleeping.  People might pray to St. Vitus at the Spring time change!  It may sound crazy to have a patron saint against oversleeping, but keep in mind the Church has something meaningful for every area of our human lives.

This St. Francis statue represents the monk as patron saint of animals. Though we may not pray to St. Francis or venerate him – i.e. a deep respect and reverence -  we learn much from his dedicated spiritual life – including his statement “preach the gospel to all the world, if necessary use words.”

The Catholic Church has always distinguished between worship, given to God alone, and veneration, the deep respect and reverence which may be given to the saints. If someone is treating a saint as one should treat God, or as a good luck charm that is idolatry. That being said, Catholics believe that the saints have a role in our lives, as intercessors on our behalf, because we are all united by our communion in Christ. The saints are continually praying for us and interceding on our behalf, on account of their closeness to Christ. As such, asking a saint for intercession is no more idolatrous than asking a holy friend or pastor to pray for you.  Making a request to a saint through prayer, for Catholics, is like making a prayer request from that respected person in your life.

All Saints Day is kind of like a Christian Memorial Day or Presidents Day, a day to celebrate the lives of all the great heroes of the Christian faith, and to celebrate the relational communion we have with them.

Now let’s reflect on some history and doctrine of American Methodists generally believe. As with most Protestant Christians, Methodists remember the saints, especially on holidays such as All Saints Day, the emphasis and focus here being on all the saints who have passed from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant.

And it is a celebration in thanksgiving and praise to God for those who have served as models and examples of Christian faith and life.  Individual saints, such as St. Francis are not emphasized. (Wikipedia)

Methodism has historically followed the Protestant tradition of referring to sanctified members of the universal church as saints. John Wesley's belief was that Christianity should be Christ-centered.  In 1808, the 39 Articles of Religion we published. Article 14 of the Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church states that

Explicitly, Methodism does not practice the theology of Purgatory, veneration of saints, relics, and prayer to saints—considering them to be unfounded in Scripture.

Through the years, the edges have softened on such strongly stated beliefs. While most Methodist churches have continued to place little emphasis on saints, they may admire, honor, and remember the saints of Christendom.^[2]

Then I wondered, well how come Methodist churches, and even the Methodist seminary I attended in K.C. begin with the word Saint? Saint Paul school of theology, St. John’s United Methodist Church.

The title 'Saint' in Methodist churches is normally bestowed only to those who had direct relations with Jesus Christ, or who are mentioned in the Bible. For example, some Methodist churches are named for historic heroes and heroines of the faith such as the Twelve Apostles, Timothy, and Paul.

One of the common points of Catholic and Protestant theology remains holy scripture, though our interpretations may still be different.

Just as we worship God on earth, so do those Christians who have gone before us worship God in heaven. The author of Hebrews writes in 12:22-24:

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.

Thus, we are surrounded by our brothers and sisters in Christ who came before us. They, like spectators at a sporting event, cheer us on and encourage us as we make our earthly pilgrimage. What a great blessing it is to be connected with believers, past and present, in the family of God, aided by their prayers and encouragement.

When a loved one dies, does he or she cease being a member of the family?

Most Methodists may agree with the Catholic Church's view that, “A departed Christian does not cease to be a part of Christ's Body, but rather comes into the fullness of what it means to be a child of God in that Body of saints.” 

Felix Adler once wrote about the practical nature of saints: “The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for (persons) to see by. The saint is the (person) who walks through the dark paths of the world, (themselves) a light.”

Felix Adler, quoted in Daily Guideposts (1996). Christianity Today, Vol. 40, no. 7.

During the darkest hours of World War II, Britain faced a critical shortage of silver for the war industries. Informed of the crisis, Winston Churchill asked if there were any possible sources of silver, however remote. The answer came back: Yes, the churches, cathedrals, and abbeys held beautiful, sterling silver statues of the saints. From Churchill came the now-famous reply, "Well, it's time to put the saints into circulation!" And so they did.

John S. Barnett, "Saints in Circulation," Discipleship Journal (March/April 1986)

Now as we are about to conclude the message and prepare for receiving communion in a few minutes, tap into your memory, and draw to mind a person or persons who have been saintly in your life. (pause) Now reflect on their character – what attributes of their personality and behavior touched your life?  Would those characteristics be considered Christ-like?

During communion time together, consider reflecting on the attributes of saints among us and on the character of Christ – it may inspire our own character.  And Lord knows that we need more saints in circulation.