Called to Be Saints
All Saints’ Day, also called All Hallows’ Day, or Feast of All Saints, in the Christian church, is a day for honoring and remembering saints and celebrated on November 1. A “saint” is usually defined as a person acknowledged as “holy or virtuous and typically regarded as being in heaven after death.”
Following church activities one Sunday a father asked his young daughter, “What was your Sunday School lesson about today?” She replied, “Saints.” Wanting to know more, he asked, “What do you have to do to become a saint?” The daughter replied, “Die!” She was only partially right. We do associate saints with deceased persons who became “pioneers and perfecters of our faith.” However, the term is not reserved just for persons whose lives greatly impacted the history of Christianity.
In United Methodist churches, “All Saints’ Sunday” worship traditionally includes tributes for church members who died in the past year. Names are read as the life and faith of each person is recalled. Those who have died in the faith are regarded as “saints” through their profession of faith and as reflected in their lives.
There are also living saints among us today. In fact, all Christians are called to be saints. The Apostle Paul used the word saints often in his letters to the faith communities that he helped establish on his missionary journeys. In the opening of his letter to the Romans, he addressed them: “To all God’s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints.” (Chapter 1:1) Paul began many of his letters this way as he wrote words of encouragement and instruction for faith living. For Paul, saints referred to followers of Jesus — those who had heard the “good news” and whose lives had been transformed by the power of the gospel.
We Christians may feel unworthy to be called saints, but it is the name that challenges us to live up to the highest standards in demonstrating our faith. Being a saint means living so others can see Christ at work in us. All Saints Day helps us to be more aware of the “living saints” who have impacted and continue to support our journey in the faith.
As we observe “All Saints Day,” consider who the “saints” are in your life. We also need to ask, “To whom can I be a saint?” Paul’s words to the first century Christians are still appropriate for us today. We are called to be saints. May we be (found) faithful in living up to this high calling!
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Video: “Your Heart” by Chris Tomlin (Copy and paste)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNlgG_-wjpM
About the Author:
The Rev. Dr. R. Franklin Gillis has been a resident of the Richmond area for 30 years. He served on the Richmond District as senior pastor of Bon Air UMC, and Richmond District Superintendent prior to his retirement. Writing a devotional, “Reflections for the Journey,” is a part of his weekly disciplines.
