The Communion of Saints
November 1st, 2009ALL SAINTS DAY
Sunday’s Reflection
THE COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS can be more than just a doctrine as we imaginatively entertain the saints’ stories and presence among the heavenly host. …
I delight in praying the daily office in company with Charles Wesley, Mary Magdalene, Polycarp, John Donne, Catherine of Siena, Julian of Norwich, and many more. Their persistence in holy practices encourages me, and they remind me that God did not stop raising up great holy men and women with the close of the New Testament. They prompt me to believe in what God seeks to do in changing me from sinner to saint. If they lived out their baptism in daily life; then so can we! In living with and praying with the saints, our sense of the communion of saints becomes a rich treasury of stories and a participation in a community of the living and the dead.
- Daniel T. Benedict, Jr.
Patterned by Grace: How Liturgy Shapes Us
From pages 53-54 of Patterned by Grace: How Liturgy Shapes Us by Daniel T. Benedict, Jr. Copyright © 2007 by the author. Used with permission of Upper Room Books. All Rights Reserved. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Who are the saints you are remembering today? Visit the comments area and join in the discussion.
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for saints and martyrs. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Why Saints? Observing saints more closely reveals that they were ordinary people just like us. What set them apart was their life purpose. More than anything else, they wanted to know God. So despite their faults and frailties, they have much to teach us. Learn from Saints.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Jude (October 28).
- Lectionary Readings:
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November 1st, 2009 at 5:41 am
Stella Austin, my seminary roommate, who spent years in a girls school in Nigeria; my grandmothers, Granny Dora and Evie, noble widows who pointed us to a deeper faith in God, parents, Nelle and Ernest who lead us by precept and example, and countless others in many areas of my life.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:02 am
Remembering Mamanette, our devout, gentle grandmother. She was diabetic, but always asked for “Just a very little slice, Morris?” of whatever sweet was on the table. I know she passed directly into the arms of her Lord–her last words called out to Him.
And remembering my own mother Renee. In her final moments, I found myself saying to her over and over: “Find release, be made whole, be made beautiful . . . ” It wasn’t until reflecting on that moment afterward that I realized I was *overhearing* those words, that we were being given grace to hear the Lord’s invitation to her: step into eternity and see all My promises fulfilled.
Two blessed moments, two blessed women. How rich my life has been because of them.
November 1st, 2009 at 7:36 am
Yes, there have been many saints in my life, and for that I am truly grateful and feel very blessed. Today I name them in my thoughts and prayers.
“Let all who come behind us find us faithful”.
November 1st, 2009 at 7:44 am
Della Robillard. As a young adult she treated me as her equal. I realized the difference even then but not until years later did I realized she was one of my saints God put in my life.
November 1st, 2009 at 7:45 am
I remember my mom Jane, my most recent loss in February and my Dad Bob, 19 years earlier and my grandparents and their parents, then their parents, who were slaves in this country. All with faith in this day, their free decendent, accomplished and continuing the faith. Help me to remember always Lord, those who paved the way for me and future generations. Help me to share their stories and faith journeys.
November 1st, 2009 at 7:56 am
My father who had sacificed so much for his family and lived a life of humble faith,example to many and in the end had his hands together in prayer and asked someone at the bedside to pray.
Before the person finished ashort prayer,my father passed on to glory to be with the heavenly Father.
My mother who asked me to read Philipians 4th chapter, as she lay bedridden with Arthritis and wanted to console me before she passed on to be with our saviour.
My grand mother who was a great spiritual nurcherer to me in my teenage years and has gone to be with the Lord.
November 1st, 2009 at 8:27 am
Today, especially for my Mother who passed away in February. I miss her laughter and our many fun times together shopping and talking.
November 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
There are many Saints that have touched and inspired me to intitiate and sustain my Christ Like development journey. On this day of remembering the Saints I recall all those that our Lord has inserted at the right time in my walk:
- Mike- who was the intial spark and patiently inspired me to walk in the light.
- Father DeSanto – Who is inspired and encouraged me to academic excellence.
- Coach Nick – Who taught me perseverence, self control and respect.
- Phil – Who showed me the way to leave my sins behind and experience the grace of God.
- Lee – Who sparked my interest in the scriptures and small groups.
- Grandma Julie – Who taught me humility, unconditional love and kindness.
- Gramps – Who taught me tolerance, charater , joy and the importance of fellowship.
- Mom and Dad ; Sacrifice, hard work and love for family.
- Terry and Kevin ; The love for music and how to apply to praising our Lord.
- Pastor Bill – To understand the importance of family over personal interest and power.
- Bob; To keep on smiling and sticking to your committments and charity.
- Uncle Melvin ; Keep on smiling and be the light regardless of your personal circumstances.
- Debbie; Encouragement and community.
It is good to remember. May the Lord bless these Saints and I hope that someday I may meet them on “God’s Golden Shores”.
November 1st, 2009 at 9:47 am
My main saint is our Loving God. My other saints are my Dad and my 2nd brother, which are both up in heaven. Thank you God for letting us know that you are our saint….Amen
November 1st, 2009 at 9:59 am
My daddy went home to Jesus this summer on his 92nd birthday– imagine the celebration in the Mansion!
So many in attendance. My mother-in-law, grandparents and so many others– as well as those listed in this wonderful reflection!
Praise God for the hope we draw from this crowd of witnesses who precede us and cheer us on from above.
November 1st, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I remember my mother, Maggie, grandmothers, Alma and Lula, grandaddy John Quincy, my darling Aunt Jettie, Ms. Georgia, Donice, Henry, John,Anna L., and the many other aunts, uncles, saints who shaped my life. Thank God for the work he performed through my husband, Hilliard. I thank God for every one listed and those who are not.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 am
I remember St. Joan for her courage, St. Francis for his compasion for animals, and my father, St. Merle for his ability to encourage children from all walks of life to become the best that they could be.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I remember my dear Grannie Blossie. She edified me with the scriptures as a young adult in my early to late twenties and into my early thirties. I remember everything she taught me in my spiritual walk as a believer, and I try to put it into practice now that I’m older and a wife and mother of 2. I also remember my 4th brother, Leonard, he was the most caring of them all. He died very young and tragically. He tried to “make right” with God before he left us. I think he was preparing himself to see God’s face. He was repenting for all his sins committed in his life and confessed everything to my mother that he did unknowning to her knowledge from his early childhood till his young age of 22. I know both of them are with God, and maybe watching over me and my family-at least I hope they both do. I remember various friends, church members, and parents of friends who have had an impact in my life and touched me with their love over the years. God bless them all and hope they are of much service and more loved and appreciated up there than they ever were on this earth, before they departed. May they all rest in peace.