Rector's Sermon - Sunday, November 3, 2002

First Reading	Psalm	Epistle	Gospel
Revelation 7:9-17	34:1-22	1 John 3:1-3	Matthew 5:1-12

     Welcome again to this old creaky building, built in a type of gothic style to remind people of an age even older. The bell that we ring (at the beginning of the prayer of consecration) was cast in 1820, installed in the bell tower of the first building on this site and has rung a call to worship on this corner for all generations since. Welcome to a liturgy whose origin goes back thousands of years. Welcome to the experience of being surrounded by things deeply traditional. Behind me in the alcove to my left are pictures in glass of Hugh of Lincoln and Francis of Assisi. They seem to have lived so long ago. Yet they are much closer to our time than to Peter and John who are on either side of Jesus over the altar.

     Some years ago there was a fascinating play about Jennie McGraw Fisk. She died under what some would claim were mysterious circumstances in Europe and her estate has benefited thousands of Cornell students since. She has not been forgotten here. An inscription on the side, testifies that our imposing white marble altar was given in her memory. Inscribed on plaques on the walls around us are names of some of the founding families of Ithaca: Ogden, Treman, Connor.

     Many of us remember Ruth Ogden whose family pew was a couple rows back. Her devotion to this parish was inspiring for young and old. And I remember Jim Hart, our regular greeter at the 8 am. Service, who always had a smile and kind word for everyone who entered the narthex. There are many, many others, for the very spot where you and I sit, has been the seat for several generations.

     All Saints is the holy day that emphasizes the wonderful gift of history and tradition. It is a living witness that gives people of faith roots, stability, breadth, and depth. All Saints surrounds us with the voices that liberate us from the narrow and trendy options of the moment and from a cultural correctness that seeks to control our hope and censure our dreams. All Saints opens to us a universe of possibilities that stretches wider than any worldly power can contain or imagine. Look under the surface of things, All Saints whispers. You will find that most of the significant ministry you and I do is not readily visible.

     Jesus used images common to his surroundings. Salt strengthens and preserves the flavor of food, so Jesus talked about saints being the salt of the earth. Leaven causes dough to rise and become a loaf of bread, so He talked about saints being the leaven of society.

     We who live in a four season climate, and are tough enough to enjoy hearty New York winters might compare saints to — icebergs. Not that saints are cold and hard, but like the bulk of an iceberg, the bulk of discipleship runs deep and is not always apparent. Like an iceberg, people of faith release fresh water in the midst of an undrinkable sea. Like an iceberg, saints float in the world, from place to place and the prayers, acts of kindness, and compassionate support we offer others is, to a great extent, underneath the flat superficial appearances. Icebergs have depth, like people of faith have soul.

     I would like to suggest that next year if you want to dress up on All Hallows Eve, dress up as an iceberg. Be an iceberg witnessing to the depth of God's love upholding us. You can be pretty creative in this form, for the shape of every iceberg is as different as our individual stories of how we got here. Certainly those who served as beacons of God's love for us are richly varied. Yes that would do it! Dressed as icebergs, we would witness to what has been given to us by those who sought far more than the world's facade of easy praise and fame. Dressed as dozens of iceberg in all shapes and sizes, we would be disclosing and reminding ourselves that saints today don't simply live on the surface of things.

     All Saints reveals that we are more connected than we ever imagined. We are surrounded by the treasure of prayers and the wisdom of people other than ourselves. We are offered the gift of years of tradition and history which frees us from the one-dimensional tyranny of the contemporary and bonds us to a larger family, many of whom in their journey have suffered, endured, questioned, and overcome what we in our life must deal with, too. We truly are not alone. Yes, this is a creaky, old place, full of God's grace of the ages. Enjoy!

     And I offer this to you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen