All Saints Day (Nov. 1)

Celebrated on Nov. 4, 2001

Readings:

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-36

On All Saints Day our tradition calls us to celebrate the lives of the saints. Who are these saints that we remember? What is a saint? Sometimes when we speak about the saints we mean one who stands as a giant of spirituality in a past age. Sometimes we mean someone who embodies for us what we think it is to be Christ like. Sometimes we mean the figures we see depicted in stained-glass windows.

In the early days of the Church, martyrs were remembered on the anniversary of their death. The first three centuries were times of persecution for Christians. The number of martyrs increased dramatically during that time. The number of free days in the calendar decreased rapidly. Finally in the fourth century, one day in the year was set aside to commemorate all the saints who couldn't be fit into the calendar. The important saints continued to have a day set aside for their remembrance. The lesser saints became part of the "communion of saints" that was remembered on All Saints Day.

We use that word "communion" to describe the saints in the Apostles creed. "I believe in the communion of saints." What do we mean? Is it a collective word like a herd of cattle, a gaggle of geese or a flock of sheep? The word 'communion' has the same root as the word 'common'. So the communion of saints is about what the saints hold in common. That, it seems to me, is getting close to what this Sunday is all about.

Paul uses the word 'saint' as a form of address to the Christian community. "I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus," he says to the people of Ephesus, "and your love toward all the saints." He writes of the inheritance that awaits them as saints. He calls them to hope for the fulfillment of God's promises. He has heard of all they are doing, of their witness to the Gentile community, and he writes to affirm their work.

I wonder if they had the same reaction as we so often have when we hear that we are called to be saints. It brings up all of our misconceptions of what it means to be a saint. I have to admit that personally I can picture the saints in heaven wandering around that huge mansion that John talks about. The problem is, I can't for the life of me picture what they are doing with their time. My whole sense of eternity keeps getting in the way. I suppose that it is simply that saints have a bad image. We imagine them wandering around amongst the clouds, playing harps. Their heads are piously bent, they have sickeningly sweet smiles on their faces, their hands are clasped in an attitude of prayer, and their halos are in place just so. I can hear what you are thinking! Me, a saint! Get a life!

Let us just consider for a moment the people who have had an influence in our spiritual lives, our own personal list of saints. There are, of course, some obvious spiritual giants who, though not recognized by the canons led exemplary lives. I am sure there is no doubt in anyone's mind that Mother Teresa working on the streets of Calcutta deserves to be called saint. Similarly Jean Vanier has been recognized for his work in the L'arche communities.

I also have some very ordinary people from my own life whom I recognize for their influence in my personal life. For me, there is my Godmother, Aunt Alice Francis. She wasn't really an aunt, rather a close family friend. Without even knowing it, she had a profound influence on my life. She always remembered my baptismal day. I would receive a card or a small remembrance. I knew that she prayed for me. I knew that she took her responsibility as my sponsor seriously. When we would visit she would remind me of what it meant to her to be my Godparent.

There is also my friend Maud. She was well into her nineties when she died, although she never actually admitted to being a Senior Citizen. There was the famous time when she chopped my brother's favourite branch off a tree outside the chapel because he was hanging upside down and distracting her from the service. But Maud could show great kindness and understanding. She stood by our family during some very difficult times in our lives.

There is Bill who works in street ministry at the City Hall. He is an alcoholic who had reached about as low as anyone can. He lost his job, his family and his friends. He was living on the streets, begging for a living. He got into a detox programme and got his life in order. He found his way back to his faith. He works with street people finding them housing and getting them into programmes. His life is a wonderful witness to how faith in God can transform us.

There is my friend Rebecca who lives in Papua New Guinea. I met her at the Women's Festival in Africa. She has had a very difficult life and yet the love of God shines through her. I was moved by her story, but I was moved even more by her gentleness and grace in forgiving her abusers and moving on to help others deal with their own situations.

I could go on and on. I could name people in this community, for the title saint belongs to each of us. The readings remind us of the faithful ones who have preceded us on life's journey. They remind us of the community of joy that awaits all of God's people. We owe a debt to those who have passed the faith on to us through hardship and trial. We recognize our responsibility in continuing this heritage for those who follow us.

Take a look around you at the saints of God. They come at all stages of the spiritual life. Perhaps one of them has influenced you during your life. Perhaps you have influenced one of them on their spiritual journey. We are the saints of God. May we live our lives open to God's grace working in our lives. May we be worthy of our calling!