Reading: 1st John 3:1-3

1st John 3:1 – “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

On this All Saints’ Day we celebrate the saints who have gone on to their eternal home during this past year. For some of us, the day holds grief as their loss is recent and still painful. For others, the day holds joy as the grief has begun to recede and the celebration of a life well-lived gains more of the focus. For all those who gather and name the saints, it is a reminder of our connectedness, of the great cloud of witness, and of John’s words today: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”

We who believe are the ones that John calls the children of God. Technically, all people are children of God. Just as some do not recognize that we who believe are children of God, they and others do not recognize themselves as a child of God. They do not see or understand or find their worth and identity in God’s love. We do. We know that we are loved and that we belong to God. As we celebrate the saints today, we also celebrate our place in the great cloud of witness.

While some long for the day and others look forward to the day, it will be glorious when we see Jesus face to face because we will see him “as he really is.” In the resurrection we will fully know Jesus. That experience of love will be grand! As that day draws nearer for each of us, may we seek to be pure and holy, just and loving, just as Christ was, is, and always will be. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, we are grateful for those who we will name today as we celebrate the saints who have joined you this past year. We can also name other saints – those who shaped and formed us, who walked with us, and who encouraged us. We ask, O God, that you would use us in these ways, walking with each other and with future saints. Amen.