Today is All Saints Day. According to the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, this holiday has been observed since the ninth century. We remember our predecessors in the faith, who have completed their baptism through death. They have gone ahead of us into glory. While we mourn those who have died, we also rejoice in the promise of eternal life given to us by Jesus Christ. Today, we emphasize the calling we share with all saints everywhere to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit and to live in faithful expectation of the Kingdom of God.
While All Saint's Day is a special day of observance, we remember throughout the year our connection with all of God's people -- throughout time and space. When we say the Apostle's Creed, the most unifying and universal expression of Christian faith, we affirm that we believe in the "communion of saints." We believe that to be a Christian is to be a member of a vast community of people who belong to Jesus Christ. When we celebrate communion by eating bread and wine, we remember and show that Jesus' death and resurrection has united us to God and to one another.
Today I rejoice in the profound truth that to be called into relationship with God through Christ is to also be called into a community of other people. We are connected to God through Christ, and through Christ we belong to one another. In short, because of Christ we are not alone.
This All Saints Day, I invite us to pray for those who have lost a loved one this year, to celebrate the good news of eternal life in Christ, and to be active members of the community of faith.
Here is a prayer that you may choose to use today:
"Faithful God, source of every blessing: teach us to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who persecute us, to turn the other cheek, to share our possessions, to give to those who are in need, and to do to others as we would have them do to us, so that we may join that company of blessed saints who feast with you in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Luke 6:20-31)
May the blessing of All Saints Day be with you today!
All Saints Day, Nov. 1st, 2022
Today is All Saints Day. According to the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship, this holiday has been observed since the ninth century. We remember our predecessors in the faith, who have completed their baptism through death. They have gone ahead of us into glory. While we mourn those who have died, we also rejoice in the promise of eternal life given to us by Jesus Christ. Today, we emphasize the calling we share with all saints everywhere to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit and to live in faithful expectation of the Kingdom of God.
While All Saint's Day is a special day of observance, we remember throughout the year our connection with all of God's people -- throughout time and space. When we say the Apostle's Creed, the most unifying and universal expression of Christian faith, we affirm that we believe in the "communion of saints." We believe that to be a Christian is to be a member of a vast community of people who belong to Jesus Christ. When we celebrate communion by eating bread and wine, we remember and show that Jesus' death and resurrection has united us to God and to one another.
Today I rejoice in the profound truth that to be called into relationship with God through Christ is to also be called into a community of other people. We are connected to God through Christ, and through Christ we belong to one another. In short, because of Christ we are not alone.
This All Saints Day, I invite us to pray for those who have lost a loved one this year, to celebrate the good news of eternal life in Christ, and to be active members of the community of faith.
Here is a prayer that you may choose to use today:
"Faithful God, source of every blessing: teach us to love our enemies, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who persecute us, to turn the other cheek, to share our possessions, to give to those who are in need, and to do to others as we would have them do to us, so that we may join that company of blessed saints who feast with you in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Luke 6:20-31)
May the blessing of All Saints Day be with you today!