All Saints
A young priest said Evensong in a nearly empty church. There was one in the congregation, a frail old lady who was always there. As they left together he let her hear a little bit of his ‘righteous’ indignation. it was all such a waste of time! Just two people there! She turned very gently, and quietly to tell him that she felt the presence of a worshipping community far beyond that little building – patriarchs, prophets, angels and archangels, saints and martyrs. They were not only the ones whose names we know, she believed. There were many confessors and martyrs whose names were unrecorded on earth but in heaven they were well known. This was the context of worship. The priest has not forgotten what she said. Saints and men belong to only one Church and there is a deeply felt communion, as there is in some families.
But there is a difference between those relations in heaven and those on Earth. We believe that one thing only will give us a place in their number; the essential mark upon them is the mark of love. Love like the Love of Christ, devoted to the Will of the Father and poured out in love for the neighbour; that is what makes a Christian Saint! God is beautiful in His saints and we are hopeful because one unknown writer had a way of putting it:
“O Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in’.
Prayer of the Day
Eternal God, neither death nor life can separate us from your love: grant that we may serve you faithfully here on earth, and in heaven rejoice with all your saints who ceaselessly proclaim your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.