All Saint's Sunday

Every year, we dress up in silly costumes and run around, hyped up on sugar and having a good time. Halloween is just such a fun day. But the day after (and the following Sunday) is the celebration of All Saint's Day, and it's just as significant. On that day, we remember who has died in the past year and left a legacy of a life lived in the love of God. We pray for the saints who have gone on to God's kingdom before us. It's a feast day that's not meant to be sad - we are celebrating the entrance of people we love into the communion of saints.

It's a celebration of resurrection.

It's a celebration of community.

You can also think about all the many people who have been in your life to help you grow, or who have taught you something about Jesus, and brought you to be the person who you are. Faith is communal - we can't escape other people in our faith in God. What we believe about God is shaped by the people around us, by our church community. We're all in this together. As God's faithful people, we share in a life together, and on All Saint's Sunday, we remember the communion of saints - the people whose testament of faith reminds us of who we are, all over again.

For further thought: Who are the saints in your life? Who makes up the communion of saints to you? Make a list of these people. Include both people you've never met, and people you know really well. Make a commitment to pray for these people. Tuck the list inside your Bible.