OUR VICAR WRITES
SURROUNDED BY A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES
Dear COA Family,
All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1 in Western Christianity, is a Christian holiday honouring all the saints and martyrs, known and unknown, who have attained heaven. The day serves to celebrate those whose lives exemplified holiness, devotion, and faithfulness, regardless of whether they have been officially canonised or recognised by the church.
Why is it important for us to remember their lives?
Firstly, it is because their examples of faith serve to inspire us to do the same. If they can hold on to their faith in Christ with such courage despite the threat of death, it not only shows us the way we can live but also gives us strength to imitate their life-examples. While we are careful not to worship them, we do not ignore what they have gone through nor neglect to honour them.
This is why in our intercession during the Holy Communion service, it ends with praying, “Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ; according to your promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.” Through our prayers, we acknowledge the power of the saints’ lived examples of faith for our own continued faithfulness to God’s call.
Yet that is not all. There is a spiritual sense of community that the departed saints have with us which strengthens us in the faith as well.
Hebrews 12:1 says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” The Greek word for “surrounded” refers to a continual encompassing of the saints around us, even though they have gone on to glory. It is as if they are present with us cheering us on in the faith, much like a stadium of spectators cheering the athletes on the field to give their best. They may not be able to communicate with us, but their moral support encourages us to press on.
In another part of our Holy Communion liturgy, we declare: “Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name…” There is a sense that in all of our worship services, our praises are united with the praises of those who have gone on before us into glory. We are not separated from them!
All of this reminds us that, ultimately, all that we do in God’s kingdom is for God’s glory alone. And while our work may not be recognised by men, God sees everything and will reward us justly. Ourefforts for him will, together with the work of the saints of old, combine wonderfully to build up the church of Christ for all time.
And we who on earth are the Church Militant, consisting of Christians on earth who struggle as soldiers of Christ against sin, the world and the devil. We can look forward with confidence and sure hope to the day we can join with the Church Triumphant, comprising of saints who now rejoice eternally in the glory of God!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
God bless,
Revd Ian