All Saints' Day

The Church celebration of ‘All Saints day’ is the celebration day for all Christians. And today, as we think about the Saints here, the Saints in Wales and throughout the world – past and present, we are remembering the heroes of our faith, those who have shown us a bit more about GOD and His love for us. It is a good day indeed!

It speaks of those who have lived righteous and useful lives in the sight of God. The reading tells us that those who TRUST in GOD will understand the truth, and those who remain faithful to that will reap the rewards of God’s protection for them.

As I think about the lives of the Saints we have heard about down the generations, I can’t help thinking how TRUST and FAITH are precious commodities, and how many SAINTS trusted in GOD even when the outlook was really bleak – sometimes very bleak!

So if you want to be a saint, you have to be a superhero of the faith!

Who wants to be a Saint? You must be a superhero who is willing to tell people about Jesus and not let anything get in the way! But you don’t have to wear your pants outside your trousers like superman (unless you really want to).

What special powers do you think God might give us to become a superhero Saint….

Hands up who thinks God will give us the power to be able to spin a web strong enough to support my own weight and swing through the Benefice?

Hands up who thinks we will be able to spin around and then be dressed in a red cape, ready to fly after criminals?

Hands up who thinks we will be able to breathe and turn the air to ice, and skate on it at great speed?

Throwing fireballs? Calling up hurricanes? Er….

Well perhaps these aren’t the special powers GOD gives us when we want to be saints.

Well, actually GOD does give us special powers – but they aren’t like those. If GOD sends us to care for people on his behalf, he will give us the ability to do our best for Him. If people think we are stupid for our faith and challenge us, He will give us the answers to speak. God never leaves His superheroes to fend for themselves – he is always with them.

So what do we do if we want to be Saints?

In fact, being a SAINT is only really about trying to do the right thing – to do the things we know God wants us to do. He will give us the jobs, we just have to do them. WE try to make our faith real by doing God’s work.

What sort of work is that I hear you call…. Well in our Gospel reading for today we are given a big clue about what GOD wants us to do.

Our Gospel reading for today gives us the section from Luke that mirrors the beatitudes in Matthew – these sayings are called the beatitudes! The reading is great for All Saints’ Day because these famous sayings must have exercised a powerful attraction for the downtrodden people who made up much of the early Christian community. Quite specific rewards are offered in compensation for present suffering.

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ says Jesus when he starts his proclamation of the kingdom of life. Those who are sensitive to the needs of the poor will enter the kingdom – is that us saints?

This is why we can say that this Gospel puts JESUS in the middle of the two kinds of poverty - Spiritual poverty, and material poverty. This helps us to understand the meaning of the beatitudes.

Jesus is telling us about the importance of simplicity in our faith, by caring about others.

The eight beatitudes speak to us of the fundamental attitudes of Jesus’ disciples, Christians and would be Saints like us. SAINTS must totally trust in God (poor in spirit); they must share the suffering of others (those who weep). Like the Lord, they must be kind to others (the meek). They must eagerly want to see justice reign in the world (those who hunger and thirst for righteousness). Moreover, SAINTS must bear in their hearts the poor and the needy of our generation (the merciful). They must be consistent and upright in their lives (the pure in heart). They must do their best to establish peace as the outcome of justice (the peacemakers).

We know that all of this means that they will be opposed by those who refuse to recognise the rights of others (the persecuted for righteousness sake)

This is a job description for all the saints’ of God – all the disciples of Jesus – all Christians. The beatitudes are the jobs for Christians – and nothing less.

If we act in keeping with them, we will build the KINGDOM OF GOD – the kingdom of justice, peace and joy for all.

Jesus is telling us that SAINTS are those who do these things.

Ok superheroes, I hope you have got that! We can do it…..but we must fight our arch enemies – the scariest and most destructive force known to humanity! The deadliest foe! And that foe is apathy also known as laziness, boredom or lack of interest.

I came up with a catchphrase a few weeks ago when I preached here last…but I already have one today!

On our teeshirts it will say “The Saints of GOD” at the top…then underneath it will say “living out the beatitudes with attitude”

If Saint Paul were alive today, he would probably send us a letter that would start – “From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. To the saints who are in THE BENEFICE and are faithful in Christ Jesus” Of course, being Paul, he would then praise us for our good works, and then turn to give us a good telling off for our failings. As followers (disciples) of Christ we would be considered Saints – now that is a scary prospect isn’t it!!!

So I thought I would have a go at writing a letter to you….here it goes.

From **** – An apprentice saint of Jesus Christ by the will of God. To the saints who are in the benefice : Grace and to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have heard many good things in the last few weeks of how God is working in your communities. It has made me glad to have joined you at such an exciting time. I hope that by the will of God I might be able to help you share the good news of salvation with all the people in your communities.

I know that it won’t be all easy work – but I hope to be able to dance for joy, and sing with happiness – even though there will be times to grieve and cry too.

I can’t think of anymore, so I am signing off…

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

This week superheroes, let’s all think about the SAINTS, and ask GOD to give us the strength and courage to TRUST HIM. Our salvation is tied up with the salvation of others – the good we do for others is done for God too.

Today is a great day for the Church, and a great day for us! We have been given the chance to be SAINTS of God.