My parents were married on November 2, 1946. That date caused some controversy among the Roman Catholics in my family because it was All Souls Day, a day for remembering the dead, and not an auspicious day for a marriage. Traditionally, All Souls Day was part of a three-day observation that began with All Hallow’s Eve (October 31), continued with All Saints Day (November 1), and ended on All Souls Day. Lutherans merged everything together into All Saints Day which tends to get observed on the first Sunday in November.

Early Christians used the equivalent for the word saints (literally the holy ones) to mean any Christian. Despite the custom of attaching the title “saint” to certain people, it really belongs to all the baptized. Does the title make you uncomfortable? “I’m no saint,” we say (perhaps with a bit of glee). However, sainthood is not something we achieve by our own efforts, but a gift we receive from God. I come back again to Luther’s explanation of the third article of the Apostles’ Creed: “the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith.” The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, that is, makes us saints.

I look forwards to worshiping with all of you saints this Sunday.

Read Ephesians 3:18-21 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

18 “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:18-21 (NLT)