All Saints’ Day
Saturday 1st November, marked All Saints’ Day in the church calendar – a time when we remember our connection with Christians all over the world, and those who have died trusting in Jesus for their salvation. It goes back to the first few centuries of the church’s history, when those who had died for their faith (martyrs) and those who had lived particularly holy lives were celebrated. And, in case you hadn’t noticed, our church bears the name of this feast day – All Saints.
Beliefs around the saints was one of the many theological battlegrounds during the sixteenth century Reformation and many Protestants today have an uneasy relationship when it comes to language concerning saints. But, as a church that bears the name of this feast day, we don’t need to feel queasy about it. Firstly, All Saints’ Day reminds us that those who bear Jesus’ name are all saints (Paul regularly used it to greet the readers of his letters) and that as Christians we are called into a communion of saints – both living and dead (‘I believe in the communion of saints’). Secondly, it is good to remember and seek to emulate those heroes of the faith who have gone before. And thirdly, there are beliefs and practices within other Christian traditions – such from our Catholic and Orthodox sisters and brothers – from which we can learn. So with all that in mind, Happy All Saints’ Day.
Ben Lacey