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In a little over a week, Episcopal communities and schools will celebrate one of the seven Principal Feasts of the Church - All Saints’ Day. Although often overshadowed by the secularized celebration of All Hallows Eve, All Saints’ Day (Nov 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov 2) provide opportunities for believers to remember and celebrate “the great communion of saints—those known and unknown—who live in the nearer presence of Christ.”
So who are these “saints—those known and unknown” we are meant to remember and celebrate and emulate? For some of you, I suspect this question may summon the tune of a “quirky little Episcopal Hymn” from the playlist in your head:
I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true,
Who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green;
They were all of them saints of God and I mean, God helping, to be one too.
They loved their Lord so dear, so dear, and his love made them strong.
And they followed the right for Jesus’ sake the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast,
And there’s not any reason, no not the least, why I shouldn’t be one too.
They lived not only in ages past, there are hundreds of thousands still.
The world is bright with the joyous saints, who love to do Jesus’ will.
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea,
For the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.
Now that I Sing a Song of the Saints of God is struck on repeat in your head, let’s examine the lyrics a little more closely. Have you ever wondered about the songwriter, and why such seemingly random occupations were highlighted throughout the song? As I explored this question, I stumbled upon this sermon about the history and significance of this song from The Rev. Barley Thompson, the Rector at Saint Mark’s Episcopal in Little Rock, AK. As it turns out, these random occupations are referencing actual historical figures who fought the good fight of faith. But this quirky little song does more than reference important martyrs of the Christian tradition; it also highlights the idea that each and every one of us are capable of being saints of God, too. If we are willing to be patient, brave, and true where we live, work, learn, and play; and if we love the Lord and rely on His strength as we toil and fight to do the will of Christ, then we, too, can can join the chorus of joyous saints who brighten the world with the love of Christ.
FYI - I am still very much a work in progress, but “I mean to be one, too!” Will you join me?
Happy All Saints’ Day!
LGLO
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