Yesterday marked the third anniversary of the atrocity of 9/11,
of the death of nearly 3,000 persons in the terrorist assault on the
twin towers of the World Trade Center.
And a little over a week ago in a school in Beslan, Russia, more
than 300 persons—children, teachers, parents—died in yet another
unspeakable attack by terrorists.
And over the past 18 months, more than 1,000 American military
personnel have lost their lives in the war in Iraq—together with
uncounted myriads of innocent Iraqi citizens.
So today, as people gather around the dinner table in homes
throughout our country, and in Russia, and in Iraq, there are so many
empty places, so many loved ones missing. And around those tables
there is such great sorrow.
Now, this table, too—the Table of Christ—is a dinner table, but
it’s one that has quite a different mood. It’s a gathering place of
joy, even in the face of death. For you see, this is the table that is
privileged to make present here on earth God’s heavenly banquet. Those
in heaven and on earth meet here. And for that reason this is the table
at which death is never able to create a truly empty place.
Yes, this is the table of Christ’s full and eternal embrace, the
table that unites those of us who are still on earth with the saints
who’ve gone before us and are now in heaven. For the God who’s been
made known to us in Christ simply will not allow the embrace of this
table to be broken by death.
As we heard in our First Lesson, “Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners…” And as we heard in our Second, Christ Jesus simply
won’t let any of his flock be lost. And in this morning’s concluding
hymn, a metrical version of the 23rd Psalm, we will go on to sing these
words about this glorious Shepherd Lord of ours:
“Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.”
Praise God that the Communion of Saints simply cannot be broken apart
by violence, or warfare, or any other means of death. For this Table of
Christ is a table of full and eternal divine embrace, and gathered around
it this morning in that eternal embrace are not only we who are present
but also those who are departed.
So I invite you to close your eyes and to envision sitting here with
you around this table, as indeed they joyously are, those departed who
loved God. Bring to mind your grandparent, your parent, your spouse,
your child, a beloved member of your extended family, your close friend;
think of a victim of 9/11, a victim in Beslan, a casualty in Iraq; or any
other member of the glorious company of God’s people. They are here with
you today at God’s heavenly banquet.
Friends, this is the glad and festive meal of the whole people of God,
the bountiful table where heaven and earth meet, where the living and the
dead are united, through faith, in Christ’s full and eternal saving embrace.
Yes, this meal is indeed a time for us to be joined in joy at the Table of
Christ.