Adult Object Lesson—Luke 6:20-31
All Saints Sunday: The Rocky Road of Sainthood
At last we have the Reformation and Halloween out of the way. A few days have passed since November 1, the actual All Saints Day. Perhaps we can put aside the Halloween hoopla and stop to remember that all of these traditions were once important to the faithful.
The reason we dwell on ghosts and goblins at Halloween is because we once spent more time thinking about the afterlife. All Saints and All Souls Days were part of our faith. We were honoring the faithful who have gone before—remembering to once again honor them and pray for them and perhaps thinking ahead to our own fate and relationship with God.
In the Lutheran tradition, we believe in the sainthood of each believer–even those who struggle with their faith. That’s most of us at one time or another. Remembering the faithful who have walked their faith journey before us helps to bring us all back into the fold.
Today’s object is a worn child’s toy—a rag dog or teddy bear that has seen lots of loving.
Have a beloved child’s toy in hand as you address the qualities that Luke writes about today.
Ask your adult congregation to think back to their childhoods and their relationship with a favorite doll or stuffed toy. Reread the scripture. It’s a parallel to Matthew’s Beatitudes.
Look at that rag doll. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.—But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.”
Remember those pretend tea parties, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.—Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.”
Remember the times when you felt scared, excluded, or lonely at night and clutched your toy under the covers. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.—Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.”
Remember when an older sibling might have grabbed your favorite toy and taunted you with a game of keep-away. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.”
Now remember why you never threw away that dusty toy—the toy that bore your childhood worries—the toy that helped you learn to love.
Since it is All Saints Sunday, ask your people to remember the real people who came to replace our toys as we grew in faith and faced difficult challenges—our parents, teachers, friends and role models. They may have all become tired and tattered from heavy-duty loving. They are the people who brought us close to God and they are worth an annual prayer of remembrance.
Close with the final verses of today’s gospel:
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”