"Gathered with the Saints”
A mediation by the Rev. Dr. Hilary J. Barrett
for Church Picnic Sunday
Preached at Pleasantville United Church of Christ, June 7, 2009
Hebrews 11-12, selected verses

“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.”
(Hebrews 12:1-2)

In the Southwestern United States, where Hispanic culture is the dominant culture and its rich flavor permeates all aspects of life, there is a celebration called Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead.  It is celebrated in connection with All Saints Day, and it is a day devoted to honoring and remembering departed loved ones. 

The day is celebrated in homes, often in the living room, where a family sets up an altar “covered with photographs and other treasured things that bring memory into the present.  Families also visit cemeteries to dress up the graves”[1] -- often adorning graves with flowers, and other times decorating with seashells, coins, toys, cigarettes and occasionally a bottle of tequila or two.  Once the grave is decorated, the family sets out a picnic, often directly on top of the grave, and together they reminisce about those who have gone before.  It is the best party of the year, and food – especially aromatic food designed to nourish spiritual presence -- is the center of the occasion.[2] 

People from all over the world and from vastly different cultures observe this practice of having picnics in cemeteries.  It is an intentional way to honor ancestors, to affirm life, and to strengthen family ties.  But for Christians these kinds of practices are also a way of proclaiming our resurrection faith – for we know and believe, as the Apostle Paul proclaimed, that whether we live or whether we die we belong to Christ, who is Lord both of the dead and the living (Romans 14:8-9).

This morning after worship we will gather to celebrate our annual Church Picnic right out here in our church yard.  It’s the closest thing we have, I suppose, to the Mexican Dia de los Muertos.  We’ve got the food and the flowers – but the tequila will have to wait.

I don’t think that those who established the tradition of the church picnic were thinking about the Dia de los Muertos.  But the fact that we all spill out into the churchyard and are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses invites us to honor and remember those who have gone before on this occasion.  (November 1^st – All Saints’ Day – tends to be a little cold for a picnic in these climes.)

It is no longer common to have a cemetery connected to a congregation.  More common are the vast community cemeteries like Whitemarsh on Limekiln Pike, or John Neumann on County Line Road.  Both are beautiful places and holy ground, but the neighborhood is mighty big.

Here at Pleasantville, I have seen what comfort it brings to have a loved one close.  To know that each time we gather in here, or out there, we are somehow gathering with them.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe
was formed at God's command,
so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen,
 in holy fear built an ark to save his family.

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age
…was enabled to become a father.

These were all commended for their faith…

Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses,

 let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.   

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,
 who for the joy set before him endured the cross,
scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This place out here – this churchyard where we will soon picnic -- holds both our past and our future.  It holds a past filled with countless saints who lived in faith not knowing for sure whether what they did would make a lick of difference.

And it holds our future in that it reminds us of a vastly hopeful Mystery: that God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the End, and all of our times are in God’s hands.

Yesterday afternoon, as I arrived at church, I found George Klein here with a plumb line, a measuring tape, a can of spray paint, and the plans for the new building.  George was mapping out our future, right here in this place that keeps us connected to our past.

When you go to the picnic, take notice of the lines on the ground and the grass.  They mark the lines of the new construction that we hope will begin in the fall.  It is a future that we hope for – building upon the work of those who have gone before.  And we, like they, must live in faith.

This is a day for celebrating life, for honoring our past, and for reaching towards the future.  Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us pull up a chair, spread out a blanket, and gather with the Saints for one holy picnic.  May it be so.  Amen.