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Isaiah 49:8-16a, I Corinthians 4:1-5, Matthew 6:24-34
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT
The Rev'd W. Lee Shaw
We are in the middle of the great American tradition of the beginning of summer: the Memorial Day Weekend. For many it is a time to go to cemeteries and lay flowers on the graves of veterans and family members. For many it is the first barbecue of the summer. For many it is first get-away of summer. And I know a number of folks from the parish got away this weekend. Traditionally this was also the time when men and women could start wearing summer clothing and white slacks and shoes— until Labor Day of course, the official end of the summer season.
Memorial Day in many ways is not unlike a civic All Saints, or All Souls, commemoration. We take time to remember those who have died, especially those who have died in defense of our nation. Memorial Day is not that old of a holiday. It was officially designated as Memorial Day just 41 years ago and became one of the Monday holidays just 40 years ago.
It traces its history to our most horrific war as a nation, the Civil War. The first celebration linked to what then became Decoration Day was in Charleston, SC, in 1865 when thousands of newly liberated slaves and Union soldiers celebrated it at the site of a former prison camp and mass grave for Union soldiers. The first regularly held Decoration Day/Memorial Day was in the village of Waterloo, New York, where it has been observed annually since 1866.
We have a need to remember our dead. We have a need to commemorate those who gave their lives in defense of our nation and liberties. We have an obligation as the living to remember our past and those who came before us.
This is true for a nation. This is true for a church as we celebrate All Saints and All Souls Days and remember the communion of saints, those who have gone before. One writer, however, once noted ironically that in death we tend to love too dearly as in life we loved too little. It is a temptation for us to remember the dead with greater affection than how we deal with the living.
Our challenge as Christians is to love, period.
I noted at our worship on Wednesday that Scripture is full of laws, commandments, teaching, and encouragements of how to get along with each other. How do we love one another as our very selves?
Our reading from Isaiah has the wonderful image of the love of
God for us: Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.
That is
how dear you are to God.
St. Paul rather sternly reminds the good people of Corinth—and
us—that it is God who is the final judge: Therefore do
not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes,
who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will
disclose the purposes of the heart.
How many times a day do we
need to recite that verse by memory: Therefore do not pronounce
judgment.
And St. Matthew encourages, admonishes us to keep our priorities in line. What is important to you? What is a priority to you? Where is God in all of this for you? What are you really striving for? The kingdom of God? Or other?
Live to the fullest today. Live in the moment today. Tomorrow will bring its own challenges.
So, at this midpoint of the Memorial Day Weekend, I invite you to look at how you remember not just the dead but those living around you. I invite you to yes, put flowers on the graves of loved ones. But also think of flowers—in words or gestures if not actual blossoms—for the living as well.
This Memorial Day Weekend we have many to hold in our prayers and thoughts. We also have a long time member of our parish who has entered into the saints in light: Edith Whitaker died Thursday night in her sleep. So in our memories and memorials this Memorial Day Weekend, may we remember all who have died: may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
May we also remember all who are alive. Love one another as
Christ love us and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice
to God,
not judging, but commending one another to God’s mercy,
God’s grace, and God’s love.