ALL SAINTS’ DAY

ALL SAINTS’ DAY   

           

REFLECTION:  Wednesday, November 1, 2017

                All Saints day is a day when we commemorate all

Christian people of every time and place. The saints in the New Testament usage refers to Christians collectively and it is with this biblical understanding that celebrating this day has spread among Protestants in recent years. It Is often included in many churches as it does celebrate and honour one person but all those who have and did serve faithfully. This ‘communion of saints’ is the solidarity of the living and the dead in Jesus Chirst and when we consider who is included in this we need to remember those people who have walked with God throughout the ages and in any particular church. What are the particular gifts and resources as well as the limitations did some people within any church’s history help to ensure that the church would go on.

                Many people do not understand what October 31 Halloween traditions mean but what is of course most important to children is the receiving of candy if they wear a costume. All Hallows Evening was the time of preparation before All Saints’ Day was celebrated and it was a day to remember those who had died and wearing a costume was to ward off evil spirits. Many people do not believe this but just hand out candy and enjoy the evening. But what does honouring the dead mean?

                When we honour those who went before us we need to remember that people served God in many ways- similar to those today and when they served their intention was honourable and faith filled. This is the same for us. Our teachings and understanding of the world is easily attainable but for those who lived before us the world was smaller and knowledge was limited. Today as we serve the church let us be mindful of who we are and more aware of the challenges and hopes that our forebears endured. Let us be aware of the saints of the past and those who sit amongst us serving faithfully and with love.

                QUESTIONS:

                Who would you name as saints in your church family/ life/family? Why?

                How did they serve God? Was it different from what you do to serve in faith? How?

                What do you think future Christians will say about this time period in Christian history regarding                 faithful service to God?

 PRAYER:

Thank you God of both the living and the dead we praise your holy name for all your servants who have finished their course in faith. We pray that encouraged by their example and strengthened by their fellowship we may be partakers with them of the inheritance of the saints in light. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYER

God we know it is difficult to forgive others who hurt, wound and offend us yet you ask us to listen to the other, and to respond in love and with faith. Enable us to do this as we are challenged and show us again what it means to be your faithful follower. Help us forgive others as we too need to be forgiven. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Resource:  Gary Inrig, “The Risk of Forgiveness: What it means to forgive”. Discovery Series, ODB Ministries. p. 28-32. NEXT week we will be a new series of reflections!