Look to God and Live… Joyfully!

Today is Halloween – the much-loved holiday of ghosts and goblins and other mischievous supernatural beings. What may have begun in the realms of deeply held superstitions has evolved to a time of masquerade and candies. In much of the Christian world, however, it is tomorrow – and the following day – that have the more vaunted dates in the liturgical calendar. November 1^st is All Saints Day with the next day, November 2^nd, being All Souls Day. These days of remembrance are beautiful opportunities to honor those who have gone before – particularly those who have given so much to so many.

All Saints Day, or All Hallows Day, had its beginnings in the 5^th century to pay homage to Christian martyrs. I have martyrs on my family tree, and so I appreciate the sentiment that they deserve to be remembered. I also have others on my tree, however, who are would-be martyrs. These good people were willing to die for their faith, showed that willingness by sacrificing all that they had, but in the end were not actually be killed. They seemed to get left out of the whole “remembering the martyrs” trend. Honoring the martyrs continued until the 8^th century when under the aegis of Pope Gregory III recognition was given to all saints and martyrs. By the year 800 memorial commemorations were held on November 1^st, in various parts of Christendom, under the name of All Saints Day. Over time the practice was formally adopted by the Roman Catholic Church and later by various protestant denominations. In Europe it often is a public holiday, frequently combining All Saints and All Souls days.

I’ve been thinking about the saints that are honored on this holiday and giving thought to what actually constitutes a saint.

Titled sainthood is a tricky thing. There are obviously some named saints that are easily agreed upon: St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa come readily to mind. There are saints that appear to be political appointments: Thomas Beckett and Thomas More fit this category. There are self-categorized saints, such as the Mayflower pilgrims of 1620 or members of various religious sects. There are saints whose role it was to build up or expand the church in a given vineyard by donating vast amounts of money and energy, such as my ancestress St. Margaret of Scotland. Then there is the dicey problem of the Reformation and competing saints from both sides of the reform divide. Here you can have the problem of saints killing other saints. Example? Protestant Saint William Tyndale (translated the Bible into English was murdered on the order of Catholic Saint Thomas More. Awkward!

The term saint, therefore, seems to be just a tad subjective!

I’ve tried to come up with my own working definition of saint. To me a saint is someone who goes above and beyond to bless the lives of others, while acting in their role of disciple of Christ. In so doing they help the people they serve “see the face of God” (to quote Les Miserables).  Someone can give great service, but if it doesn’t bring people nearer to experiencing the love of God then they are just amazingly wonderful people doing amazingly wonderful things, but not saints (and we should all be grateful for them). I hope that makes sense!

In thinking about this subject I began to think about the saints I know.  There are many who fit this description. I’ve watched people reach out and help people in marginalized groups. I’ve seen quiet service that completely changes lives. I’ve witnessed acts of kindness that ensure someone else recognizes God’s hand (and love) in their lives. This absolute Christlike love from people who “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” blesses lives in such a way that it is hard to mistake seeing God’s hand.

I’ve discovered that being a saint doesn’t require risking life and limb; it doesn’t require leaving home and family; and it doesn’t require taking a vow of poverty. Being a saint is a frame of mind and way to look at the world. It’s a motivation, not just an action. Being a saint means that we look at people through Christ’s eyes. It means that we give people the benefit of the doubt, give time and effort to listen, and always look to bless. Being a saint doesn’t include lectures or judgment – it only includes the willingness to stand as a Christ’s disciple in the way we treat others.

It is said that we draw more flies with honey than vinegar. We will similarly draw people more to Christ if we don’t preach with words, but rather show our dedication to His cause by our actions of love.

Think of the saints in your life. List their attributes. Look at their lives. Is there something that they are or do that can impact your actions moving forward?

I’ve talked before about the examples I’ve had in my life. Valerie taught me quit looking at appearances and start looking at needs and how to fill them. Stacie taught me to unhesitatingly give of my time to even the “least of these.” Elizabeth taught me to have empathy for all people. David taught me to look for even the smallest ways to show God’s love. Christine taught me to think of others before myself, no matter my situation. Robert taught me to be willing to truly sacrifice for those in need. Ben taught me to put myself in the shoes of others and judge only as I’d want to be judged. The list goes on and on.

Tomorrow I intend to commemorate All Saints Day. I plan on looking around at all the many saints I know and then give thanks to God for His placing them in my life. I plan to look for ways to pay it forward, to spread the light I’ve witnessed and benefitted from, and to become a saint in my own way.

All Saints Day. Remembering all those saints, living and dead, who act in Christ’s way to serve others is a wonderful thing. Happy celebration to all saints everywhere. May tomorrow be a truly blessed day.