Today is the Solemnity of All Saints. While searching for a bit of the history of this day, I read that the celebration was instituted “to honor all the saints, known and unknown.”
Saints, known and unknown. A humbling reminder that sainthood is not conferred by the Church, but only recognized. Like the lamed vavniks of Jewish legend and the angels we entertain, there are saints we encounter unawares, but through whom the kingdom of God comes near.
May we someday know one another, even as we are known, and in that blest communion join to sing.
Alleluia!
There’s a lot of wisdom in Jewish traditions (legends)
We lose much in being reformed.
We (Christians) are all saints because of our baptism. We are set apart, which is what saints are – the hagioi, or holy ones. It is not of our own doing, it is God’s goodness and not ours. And, as there is what Calvin called ‘the invisible church’, I would reckon that there are saints not recognized as such by anyone but God!
We had a really powerful worship experience yesterday, as we honored the saints, known & unknown, who came before us.