You might think that’s a typo. “Surely he meant to say ‘sinners’”. Nnnnnope. I stand by what I wrote. It is intentional, and I believe it doesn’t have to be either/or. One is a saint who also sings, or to quote Martin Luther, “he who sings prays twice”. He also tells us that we are at the same time both saint and sinner. “Sing with all the saints in glory”…There are two departed saints I have in mind, and I am pretty sure they both sang praises to the Lord. They are Jorge Borgoglio and James Buffett.

An unlikely pairing? Guess so. But consider they were both Roman Catholic; altar boys, even! Both had lingering illnesses. Both were born in the Americas. Both progressive, liberal thinkers and activists. One, of course, ended up at the Vatican as Pope Francis. They both came from humble origin and never forgot it. Two humble men who sought very different ways to bring joy to all. 

I do not know if these two saints ever met each other. If they did, I am pretty sure laughter was involved, and perhaps one teaching the other a few guitar chords. Jimmy was a notorious scoundrel, irreverent to the core, yet never eschewing his faith in a providential God. He shared the name of a peanut farmer who invited him to his residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. His wife wore one of the singer’s tour T-shirts.

We have been told that in heaven everyone will know each other. That is a countless number of everyones! Are Jorge and Jimmy sharing stories of their life experiences? I imagine so. Sinners made saints by Jesus’ redemption. Resting eternally in blissful peace. Sitting Indian-style by the river of life. Maybe throwing out a fishing line. Basking in the unconditional love that surpasses understanding on this sphere we claim as home – for now.

Pastor Art