The Communion of Saints

7/27/22 Glenda Simpkins Hoffman

Last week was the third anniversary of the death of our beloved Pastor David Jordan-Haas. I can’t believe so many years have gone by. I still miss him as do so many others. Of course, no one feels his loss more than his beloved family—Connie, Mary Grace, Julia, and Drew. He was a beloved child of God and faithful servant who loved and cared for so many over the years. We still lament the loss of his presence with us.  

August 7 will be the 40th anniversary of the death of my older brother Britt. He was in the Air Force, and died in a jet crash due to a mechanical failure while on a training flight. He was 23 and hadn’t been in the Air Force very long. It’s hard to believe I have lived two thirds of my life without him. Both he and David died too young, at least from my perspective. But God’s ways are not our ways.  

On the other hand, my husband Stuart’s Uncle Pete died a few weeks ago at the age of 100. He was raised in the church and a faithful follower of Christ his entire life. While he owned and operated a printing business, he served in the church and in other ministries well into his 90’s. We were blessed to have him for so long, but his presence will still be missed.  

Both of Stuart’s parents passed in their 90’s five years ago, and my dad died at 86 eight years ago. As I reflect on these people who are no longer on earth, I rejoice that they are part of the communion of saints. They have been an important part of our lives on earth and will continue to be as we enjoy the presence of our Lord together.  

The communion of the saints refers to believers in the past, believers in the present, and believers in the years to come all of whom share a common salvation in our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. We are all one in Christ. We share the same salvation whether we are alive on earth or in the glorious presence of Christ.   

The communion of saints is what each one of us has in common with all other believers. We have been forgiven through Jesus’ death and saved by his life, given eternal life, adopted as children of  God. These are only a few of the blessings we have in common with all other believers.  

Communion is the Old English word for “fellowship.” The basic meaning is “sharing joys and sorrows.” Knowing that we are not alone but that others are with us and praying for us makes a world of difference. I have known the comfort of that, especially the last two years. But it also means sharing what we have with others—our time, talent, and treasure. We give what we have to help others in need but also to strengthen the community. 

We can find great comfort in being a part of the communion of saints. We have been blessed and influenced by so many before us. Each believer has been helped by other believers. There is a great chain of people, a network of faithful believers, many whom may have already died, who have contributed in some way to bringing each of us to faith and helping us to grow and mature as Christ followers. That’s what the “communion of saints” is all about. It is a vast network of faithful individuals who play their part in working out God’s purposes. Each of us shares in that faith, and we are to share in that work. 

If we read Hebrews 11, often called the Hall of Faith, we realize we share in the faith of so many others who have gone before us. We belong to the same great family. Each has shared in joys and sorrows, triumphs and tragedies, successes and failures that we have experienced. This is what Hebrews 12:1-3 says: “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, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of 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. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.” 

Imagine yourself in a great Roman amphitheater, with the racecourse ahead of you and those who have already crossed the finish line are shouting their support and encouragement as you aim to compete the race and gain your crown and one of the communion of saints. 

What is a saint? A saint is “someone who is holy.” We have been justified by Christ, made holy because of who he is and what he has done. However, we know we are not perfect. We are forgiven sinners. We have been declared righteous because of Christ, but we will not be righteous until we are in his presence. However, our life is to reflect more and more the holiness of Christ as the Holy Spirit transforms into his image. The theological word is sanctification, which means to be made holy.  

While sanctification is the work of the Spirit, we are called to participate in this work through spiritual practices as a means of giving ourselves over to the Spirit to do what only he can do by his grace and power. Again, it is not an individual endeavor but something we do in relationships with others.    

To be a saint means we are consecrated. We are “being set apart” to remind people of Jesus. We are called from the world to proclaim the saving love of God for that world. This is who we are, and that is reflected in how we live and what we do. 

There are those who have lived such faithful lives we refer to them as saints. I have a chance to learn more about such saints as I participate in a Celtic Pilgrimage to Durham, England. I mentioned in a previous post that the Lilly Clergy Renewal Program gave me a sabbatical grant for the summer of 2021. Due to the pandemic and family health concerns, I am using it this summer. This is the only trip that was part of the original plan, and it will be led by my longtime spiritual director Adele Calhoun and her husband Doug. They have been leading these trips for some time, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join them in early August. 

Six years ago I had the great joy of going on a CenterPoint trip to Ireland with a group from our church. We visited many Celtic sites there, and I began to learn about the history of Celtic Christianity whose followers also are a part of the communion of saints. I’m looking forward to learning more in the weeks ahead.  

Celtic Christianity is very relational. The Celtic saints had a great understanding and appreciation of Trinity that is reflected in their prayers and the ways they lived, seeking to deepen their relationship with the Trinity. They saw themselves in relationship with the holy three-in-one God and with those through whom Christ had handed down the Church: the apostles like Peter and John and, nearer to home, men and women such as Columba, Cuthburt, and Brigid. 

 Celtic churches were founded on the lines of blood kindship (clans) and of spiritual kinship. Living in relationship with others was central to their life. Celtic communities were made up of both monks and laypeople engaged in daily rhythms of prayer, work, and rest. Each person in the community was to have a soul friend—a mature Christian who would work with them in developing a way of life that is personally suited to them to help them grow and mature in Christ.  

As Christ followers, we are drawn into a relationship with our Triune God and with all  those in every time and place who have trusted Christ and have been justified by his grace and are being transformed into his image by the Spirit. As a part of the communion of saints, we need each other and we can learn from those who have gone before us. I’m looking forward to such an opportunity soon. I’m sure I’ll have much more to share when I return.