When…this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54
This last Sunday was Eternity Sunday. It was well celebrated in our church, paying tribute to those who passed during this last year, complete with swelled in-person worship attendance, namely family members of the deceased.
I say it was well celebrated because of the occasion, not necessarily because of the way we celebrated it. Eternity Sunday is an important observance at the end of the church year, next Sunday being Advent 1 and on into the new church year (Lectionary C). For me it has always been the third most important Sunday of the year, right behind Easter and Pentecost.
Yesterday’s occasion was palpable, especially before and after church. You could feel the anticipation as family members and extra guests filed into church – smiling eyes above masks as they were duly recorded for corona protocol. And after the service there was much social distanced (sort of) masked visiting. Undeniably this was Eternity Sunday, or Todtensonntag as per German label when I first entered pastoral ministry. It was acknowledged and it was right even though the service itself was kind of a blubbering blur. 😉 Let me explain. Family members had been invited to “say a few words” before lighting a symbolic candle for their departed loved one. Most of these words were indiscernible from behind masks worn by speakers who did not seem to realize those masks might be removed when at podium, and also speak into the microphone! The occasion and the memories still visibly raw for the families who had endured a corona good-bye this past year; not a lot of animated speechmaking! Nonetheless there was communication – excellent communication actually – even when one of the candle-lighters almost ignited a whole pack of tall matches, quickly providing a flurry of fire extinguishing gymnastics by whoever was nearby! And of course we needed to sing behind our masks some slightly awkward new hymns from Voices Together (MennoMedia, 2020) a new hymnal debuted during pandemic. The adapted melodies and inclusive lyrics would have been strange to the ears of the deceased. I can imagine the opinion of one of those dear departed brothers regarding these newfangled songs! I miss him so. 😢
An unavoidable fact of life was recognized in this gathering. And that fact is becoming a bit more invasive in this second year of COVID-19. Todtensonntag celebrates exactly what stares us in the face, even half hidden behind masks. Nothing new here. No matter the hymns or pop tunes we sing or upload onto devices, or neighbors we meet or ignore, or battles we win or lose, death is a part of life. So the scientists, the philosophers, the horticulturists, the theologians and elders of all stripes have told us. People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27 Yes, this also from the preacher). The swelled church numbers this day would indicate begrudging or hearty acquiescence to this fact.
Although the roads to church are less traveled these days, and often there we hear only earthly concerns (like rejoicing and weeping, etc.), but the presence of the eternal everlasting One is still the real reason to gather in worship. Jesus says in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." My prayer is that this last Sunday may also have been the beginning of new beginnings, perhaps even a discovery or rediscovery of Jesus - new throbs going forward, whether into a Spirit-led year C, or a direct move to eternity for whoever of us is destined that way. Eternity Sunday was a good reminder.
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