All Saints’ Day, Year B, November 3, 2024
John 11:32-44
Rev. Misa Furumoto
All Saints’ Day is a very significant church holiday. Although it actually falls on November 1, many churches observe it on the closest Sunday, offering a memorial service for the departed. All Saints’ Day is also known as All Hallows’ Day, and as many of you may know, the evening before is called Hallows’ Eve. From the legend that the dead rise from their graves on this night, Halloween—a secular festival—has developed.
Regardless, it is said that this tradition of All Saints’ Day began in the 4th century. For a long time, on November 1, Christians have prayed to remember all saints and martyrs. The following day, November 2, became known as All Souls’ Day, dedicated to remembering and praying for the souls of all who have departed, not just the saints. Recently, these two days have been combined, and during All Saints’ Day, we remember all those connected to the church and our families and loved ones who have passed away, reading out their names and praying for their souls in the service.
I believe that observing All Saints’ Day is very meaningful. Some Christians may think that since we are assured of heaven after death, praying for the dead is unnecessary. But recognizing the connection between our earthly lives and the world of heaven after death is significant. In doing so, we come to understand that what we must cherish is not our visible bodies but our invisible hearts, or souls.
Another reason why All Saints’ Day is important is that no matter how strong our faith or how great our hope in heaven may be, the reality of losing loved ones brings sorrow. No matter how anyone tries to console us or what wonderful words of encouragement are spoken, when we lose a loved one, we are saddened. We shed tears. There are no exceptions.
And this All Saints’ Day reminds us that there is One who understands this reality, One who sheds tears with us when we cry. This is a day to remember and give thanks for that fact.
This morning’s Gospel reading tells the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus. The reason why this passage is chosen for today’s All Saints’ Day is likely not to emphasize the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection itself, but rather to highlight the moment when Jesus, seeing Martha, Mary, and other Jewish people grieving, was troubled and moved, and shed tears. Jesus weeps with us. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, know that you are not alone; there is One who holds you close, saying, “I know how painful it is. I understand how lonely you feel.” and invites you to walk forward together. This is the message, the Good News of Jesus.
In this story, Jesus resurrected Lazarus to reveal God’s glory to the surrounding crowd so that they might believe that He was sent by God. When we read this, we may feel that it has no connection to us. But that’s not true. After this, Jesus Himself died on the cross for each of us, and on the third day, He rose again. By knowing and believing in this event, we are given the hope of resurrection and assured that death is not an end but a beginning. As Jesus said to Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
In the Japanese service which will take place after this, we will also remember the departed and pray for them together. The Gospel given there is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus, the beatitudes, which includes the line, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
In today’s Old Testament reading, Isaiah prophesied what will happen on the Lord’s Day: “He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.”
And in today’s Epistle, we read from the book of Revelation, which also speaks of the end times: “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them; He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
Our tears will be wiped away. While this will occur on the Last Day, it is already happening now among us gathered here, who believe in the Lord Jesus as Savior. We are not alone. You are not alone. Our gathering around this table of the Lord each Sunday is already a foretaste of the Kingdom of God that we will see on the Last Day. In that sense, every Sunday service could be called All Saints’ Day. Let us always remember that the One who shares our grief, understands it, and wipes away our tears is here with us, and let us follow Him and be comforters to those who grieve.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
