Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
In just a few days, I am looking forward to celebrating my twenty-fifth All Saints’ Sunday as a pastor. I can’t wait to sing out “For All the Saints" one more time with those gathered in-person and online at 9:30 a.m. For those who come to our 8:00 a.m. parking lot worship, I will spare you my solo singing and instead read the words of this fabulous hymn.
Although this Festival of the church has always been a joyous event for me, it seems like it becomes more special. This experience is connected to the fact that my list of saints grows with each passing year.
In good Lutheran fashion, I define a saint in the broadest of ways possible. Saints are those for whom the light of God’s love shines through their lives. In their words and deeds, they channel Christ’s compassion, kindness, humility, and grace. Some of the saints are famous, the stuff of legends and superheroes. Others are unknown to history but important nonetheless. Saints live out their faith in big and small ways that make a difference in the lives of others.
I like the comparison of saints to stained glass windows. Even on dark and gloomy days, light comes through stained glass windows. When it does, it takes on the hue of the glass and magically disperses color into the room. Saints allow the light of Christ, full of radiance, to shine through them so that others may experience God’s love. There is a diversity of color and brilliance as saints share their unique talents, perspectives, and experience.
On Sunday, we will celebrate the many witnesses of God’s love in our lives and in the community in Christ in which we share.
The Festival of All Saints is a beautiful and sacred time of remembrance. We will read the names of the saints who have gone before us and now rest in God’s heavenly glory. Some of them have recently died, while others have been gone for awhile. Regardless, each have forever touched our hearts and we can not forget. It is good and important for us to remember and to be inspired by the saints in our past. Thank you, Jesus, for the colorful light they have shined, allowing us to catch glimpses of you.
If you would like to add the name of your loved one… click here.
The Festival of All Saints is also a powerful reminder of our calling as Christians. By the grace of God, each of us has been connected to the life of Christ through the water and promises of baptism. We are God’s saints of today. Each of us is able (and so desperately needed) to shine rays of God’s love into the spaces where we live, work, and play. Thank you, Jesus, for the opportunities that you continue to give us to reflect your life through our own.
I look forward to waving to you, O Saint of God, during worship on Sunday as we celebrate in God’s eternal light. May our time together shine brightly!
In Christ’s Light,
Pastor Walt