Someday I am going to publish a daily devotional with a reading for every day between November 1 and February 2. The book might begin like this.
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called–his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. (Ephesians 1:18 NLT)
The English word saint has several different meanings. We use it to describe someone who has great patience or someone who is well-known for their generous actions.
We also use the word saint to describe the heroes of our faith: people who served God with a determination that we want to emulate. These are the saints we usually think of when we see the words “All Saints’ Day” on the calendar.
Bible translators use the English word saint to describe those whom God has declared holy–those who have placed their faith in Jesus–in other words, Christians.
With all this in mind, I think of several things on All Saints’ Day. First, I think of the well-known heroes I will celebrate in the next months: Nicholas and C.S. Lewis and Martin and Mary. Secondly, I remember that in my own walk with God, I can look to those Saints as examples of how to live a holy life. Most importantly, I remember Jesus, the source of my confident hope that the Saints are all alive and well. Someday we will all share eternity, praising the One who has brought us together.
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed, we call blessed those who showed endurance. (James 5:10-11a NRSVUE)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2a NRSVUE)
Photo by Amirmohammad Mahmoudi on Unsplash
Ruth J. Leamy 