Musings from the Rector
A Boundless November
We begin this month with the Celebration of All Saints Day, a liturgical reminder that we are part of an eternal life. This fact is lived out in our remembrance of the saints that have, are and will be a transformational impact on this world. We hold in prayer and love all of those who have gone to heaven before us. We label that important group of souls as “The Church Triumphant”. We also affirm those who are with us in this journey of life now and use the label, “The Church Militant”. There is a third dimension of those who are coming in the future and not here yet as “The Church Expectant”. Wrapping it all together, we faithfully live and call this reality “The Communion of Saints”. Past, Present and Future co-exist for us given that God has created with no limitation and placed us during our own time right in the middle of it all! There are no boundaries to Eternity!
With a “wink of the eye” is have always referred to saints who have been major souls that have changed the world with their faithfulness that overcame earthly limits and challenges as “Big S Saints”. Such members of this august group would be Mary, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Andrew, John, James, Mary Magdalene, and a host of others. We are encouraged by their life stories, actions and witness to the Lord.
With the same “wink”, I think of all the “little s saints”, people like you and me! They are living out their faith daily in the definition of a saint, “A sinner who keeps trying”.
When I take the time to ponder and reflect, I can see scores of souls that had an impact on my life, just as you could do the same for your life’s journey. Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Friends, Spouses, Grown Children, Clergy, Neighbors next door and people we meet by chance during the passing of each day. They in their unique way have formed us by their shared faith and life example. We have been formed by them.
The added dimension of this is that I, as you, should be living out our life as “little s saints” to those whom we know and all whom we may touch each day. Like the saints mentioned in the favorite hymn “I sing a song of the Saints of God and I mean to be one too!” There are no limits to what God can do through you and me if we are open by faith, just like those who have gone before us in time. We help set the stage for those who are coming. That is why “ministry” is important along with personal sharing of faith with others.
I ask you to hold that insight as we move through the bulk of November. You will be asked to prayerfully consider what impact you will make via your part of the Saint Aidan’s faith community. How will you participate in active ministry? How are you able to financially support this work? How will you share your faith with those whom you love and know and perhaps invite to join you here on Sundays? We close the month with a total celebration of Thanksgiving and our relationship with Jesus, Christ the King of all and the savior of our souls! This fact enables me and you to be at least “little s saints”, and hopefully, you will want to be one too!
Fr. Steve+
A Boundless November
We begin this month with the Celebration of All Saints Day, a liturgical reminder that we are part of an eternal life. This fact is lived out in our remembrance of the saints that have, are and will be a transformational impact on this world. We hold in prayer and love all of those who have gone to heaven before us. We label that important group of souls as “The Church Triumphant”. We also affirm those who are with us in this journey of life now and use the label, “The Church Militant”. There is a third dimension of those who are coming in the future and not here yet as “The Church Expectant”. Wrapping it all together, we faithfully live and call this reality “The Communion of Saints”. Past, Present and Future co-exist for us given that God has created with no limitation and placed us during our own time right in the middle of it all! There are no boundaries to Eternity!
With a “wink of the eye” is have always referred to saints who have been major souls that have changed the world with their faithfulness that overcame earthly limits and challenges as “Big S Saints”. Such members of this august group would be Mary, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Andrew, John, James, Mary Magdalene, and a host of others. We are encouraged by their life stories, actions and witness to the Lord.
With the same “wink”, I think of all the “little s saints”, people like you and me! They are living out their faith daily in the definition of a saint, “A sinner who keeps trying”.
When I take the time to ponder and reflect, I can see scores of souls that had an impact on my life, just as you could do the same for your life’s journey. Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Friends, Spouses, Grown Children, Clergy, Neighbors next door and people we meet by chance during the passing of each day. They in their unique way have formed us by their shared faith and life example. We have been formed by them.
The added dimension of this is that I, as you, should be living out our life as “little s saints” to those whom we know and all whom we may touch each day. Like the saints mentioned in the favorite hymn “I sing a song of the Saints of God and I mean to be one too!” There are no limits to what God can do through you and me if we are open by faith, just like those who have gone before us in time. We help set the stage for those who are coming. That is why “ministry” is important along with personal sharing of faith with others.
I ask you to hold that insight as we move through the bulk of November. You will be asked to prayerfully consider what impact you will make via your part of the Saint Aidan’s faith community. How will you participate in active ministry? How are you able to financially support this work? How will you share your faith with those whom you love and know and perhaps invite to join you here on Sundays? We close the month with a total celebration of Thanksgiving and our relationship with Jesus, Christ the King of all and the savior of our souls! This fact enables me and you to be at least “little s saints”, and hopefully, you will want to be one too!
Fr. Steve+