Saints together
Psalm 107: 1-7 (NRSV)
1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to an inhabited town;
5 hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
7 he led them by a straight way,
until they reached an inhabited town.
This November at Sanctuary First we are taking a moment to remember that we are part of a vibrant ongoing communion of saints that stretches back into history and on in to eternity! Only a fraction of these saints walk the earth at this moment but we are all connected. One of the beautiful things about Christianity is that it affirms our individuality — the value of each of us — while also nestling us in local, global and universal community. We are made saints where we are through the power of the Spirit but we are linked beyond that. We are each set apart — for each other. In Christianity you are not anonymous or a celebrity — you are a beloved family member learning and growing with all the other saints.
On this All Saints Day we begin a new theme ‘All The Saints’ that invites us to remember the wonderful myriad lives of ordinary Christians throughout history (and those yet to be born…) that are brought together beyond time and space.
When we sing; when we break bread; when we take a stand; when we bow; when we are beaten down; when we get back up; when we can’t; when we are without roots; when we are forced to wander; when we have to wait; when time is up; when we head out on to the open road; when we fall victim to inhospitable climates and regimes; when we find a pocket of peace and rest…
we are not alone
We saints travel together. Drawing strength from those who have gone on before us and laying store for those who come behind us.
PRAYER:
Let the redeemed of the Lord
speak of love!
Your great love.
Your great love that knows no limit!
That acknowledges no border
no barrier
no impediment.
Your love that reaches us
open heart and open road
tending to our souls
our souls together.
Guide us — we saints who walk the earth at this time —
to live mindful of all time
of old times
and times to come.
Amen.
What are people saying?
Thank you James - a great set of thoughts for All Saints Day.
Thanks for these beautiful words, James. It would have been my late husband’ s 58th birthday today. He passed away two and half years ago now . He loved sharing his birthday with all the saints. Your words have really helped me tonight , seeing our journey as just a small part in a greater procession of women and men trying to live their lives true to gospel values. I look forward to following this theme of All the saints this month.
I too enjoy an All Saints’ birthday! I love that we’re dwelling and reflecting on this theme now, when the path we’re treading on, as a nation and a planet is fragile… We need the company and the wisdom of the Saints who have gone before us.
Thank from thisvwords and remabrence
I want to say something!