Grace, Mercy, and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even though, All Saints’ Day is celebrated on the first day of November, yet, the Church calls us this Sunday to remember this great and glorious day. What does All Saints’ Day say to us as a 21st century people?
First, All Saints’ Day challenges our individualism. It rebukes us for thinking that we are an a-historical people. It reminds us that we are historically connected to the universal church of all ages. When we are tempted to re-invent ourselves, we must remember the saints gone before us and that our identity is united to theirs; we are one in Christ Jesus. When we are tempted to arrive at certain conclusions without the wisdom of the Church, we must remember the legacy that has been left for us and we must not despise it.
Second, on a very practical note: how many biographies have you read of the saints gone before you (200 years ago is still modern history)? When was the last time you read a biography of a 4th century saint like Augustine? Have you ever read about Athanasius, Constantine, Aquinas or Iraeneus or John Chrysostom? Have you ever read the Church Fathers? This is not to guilt you, but it is to cause you to come to the realization that without understanding your past you will not understand your future.
Finally, All Saints’ Day is a profound reminder that life is eternal; that our great hope is in the restoration of all things in the great resurrection day; it is the great hope that one day all the saints gone before us in different ages will be joined together in one common age—the age of eternity—where we will forever and forever feast and rejoice in the presence of our great Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer: But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
