Loading...I came across a poem by the Jewish poet Hannah Senesh a while back (while looking for another poem). When I read it, I thought, “Wow! This says something about All Saints Day.” Here is her poem:
There are stars whose radiance is visible on earth
though they have long been extinct.
There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world
though they are no longer among the living.
Those lights are particularly bright when the night is dark.
They light the way for mankind. – Hannah Senesh
When I read this, I started thinking about all of those saints—the famous ones and also the ones who were less well known, but have been part of my life and the life of the congregations I have served. Our familiar every-day saints who have helped light up our lives with their generosity, their love, their skills, their humor, their faith, their risk-taking. And then I thought of a verse of a hymn we will sing later this morning, “Give thanks for life.” It goes like this:
Give thanks for those whose lives shone with a light
caught from the Christ-flame, gleaming through the night,
who touched the truth, who burned for what is right:
Alleluia!
All Saints Day is a wonderful festival. We honor and remember a wide variety of saints who have touched our lives and the life of the wider world. It is a day to be thankful and to celebrate.
Saints are not perfect people. They are real people. People of faith who do their best to live into what God would call us to be and do as we move through life. St. Paul, we remember, often addressed his letters to the early churches to “the saints.” In that way, we are all saints-in-the making.
I love the image of light both in Hannah Senesch’s poem and in the hymn. Our lives offer light to others. It’s almost as if we have a pilot light inside that from time to time bursts into a more robust flame when we meet the challenges and the opportunities that are offered to us. When we find those opportunities to serve in church, family, community, profession – anyplace that we can offer the gifts we have been given.
The readings for today sound a lot like the ones we often hear at funerals. That’s because, with the exception of the gospel reading about the raising of Lazarus, they are those same readings that are often chosen for funeral services.. Readings that bring the light and hope of God into our lives. We are comforted in loss and grief when we hear that God will wipe away every tear. We are encouraged when we read in Revelation that all things will be made new. We are inspired when we hear of Jesus bringing Lazarus out of the tomb and restored to life – a story that foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection. We are reminded of the promise of eternal life.
With the backdrop of these amazing readings, I want to mention briefly all from this parish community who have died this past year. People who have been lights in our lives and whose brightness in eternal life continues to light the way for us. We’ll also remember them in our prayers later.
Myron Peck was a loving husband, father, grandpa – a veteran, a contractor, a photographer, a fisherman who lived with his wife Linda on a beautiful lake—a little piece of paradise. He was a man generous with his time and his caring and, as we learned at his memorial service, a man who loved chocolate chip cookies.
Bob Mills was a builder of houses, both for his family and for Habitat for Humanity – although his day job was at the courthouse. A husband and father, he was a man who loved an adventure and was a friend of the poor.
Char Mills, our beloved deacon, was also a builder of houses with Habitat and a builder of relationships. She was a leader. Generous with her time she was a model of the kind of servanthood that deacons offer the church. What gave her joy was being an advocate for the poor and marginalized.
Jack Russell Spring was an athlete – a professional baseball player and coach and a teacher whose memorial service was at West Valley High School where he had coached. A husband, father and grandfather, he was also an educator who impacted the lives of many young people.
Pauline Baxter, a faithful member here for many years, was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who once worked in a shipyard during World War II. A guild member, she was a friend of many and a familiar face at St. David’s.
Carol Ann Koehler was a past member of St. David’s who, toward the end of her life, asked that we officiate at her burial service across the street at Holy Cross Cemetery. She had moved gracefully through many years of physical pain. A health care professional for many years, Carol was also a mother, grandmother and avid sports fan.
Ken Duncan, a career Social Security employee, was a husband, father and grandfather. Active for many years in the Eagles lodge, he was also a sports fan. A volunteer hockey coach, he impacted the lives of many young players and also helped to build the arena where they played.
Alice Kennedy and Dorothy Haenle (who we knew as Westy) had been friends since college days – a 70-year friendship. They died on the same day in different nursing facilities. Alice and Westy had attended St. David’s for many years, but had transferred to St. Andrews. Their joy-filled memorial service was a joint endeavor here with St. Andrews. Westy , a wife, mom and grandmother, was an occupational therapist. Among her favorite things were camping, hiking, canoeing and Girl Scouts. Alice was a familiar face in local theatre, both in acting and production. For many years she was an occupational therapist and also enjoyed camping, hiking and canoeing.
Those were very short descriptions of some people whose lives embraced much, much more. But we get a glimpse at least.
All of these people – our local saints – loved ones, fellow Christians, were people who lighted up the world around them in some way. They bore that “Christ light.” And they continue to bring light to us by the example of their lives.
And we remember that they are still a part of our wider community of faith. We’re reminded of this when we celebrate the Eucharist each week and gather with angels, and archangels and all the company of heaven – or as our Eucharistic prayer puts it today, we join with saints and angels in a chorus of praise.
May we always give thanks for our saints who have gone before, lighting the way for us as we are saints-in-the making.
