Having just celebrated All Saints Sunday, I am reminded of some people telling me they have been to funerals where the pastor says such incredibly lofty, glowing words about the deceased that those in attendance think they must be at the wrong funeral!  Such, I'm afraid, is often the tendency.

 

We fall into that trap of "not wanting to speak ill of the dead," or "after the fact selective memory," and begin to "idolize or idealize" another's life.  I'm not sure the church has helped by declaring certain people, who have worked "x" number of miracles and done "x" number of good works, to be "saints." 

 

As Lutherans, we have been taught that all people named and claimed by God in holy baptism are "saints,"  people who are set apart to do the work of God in the world.  So, each one of us is a saint.  Now I don't know about you, but I know that I am not perfect; in fact, I'm far from perfect!  Which means that anything I do that is good or right is definitely a sign that God is at work in and through me, and has chosen to remain at work in me in spite of my weakness.  For, in addition to being a "saint" I am also a sinner. 

 

Yes, I may at times have good ideas or do good deeds, even of my own volition, but that doesn't mean that they are purely motivated, and our motivation is every bit as important as what we do in God's eyes.  I may also do good in anticipation of reward or recognition; also not extremely good or healthy motivators. 

 

Bottom line is that I am, simultaneously, saint and sinner and I'm not alone in that dilemma.  We are all there!  So, on All Saints Sunday or whenever we remember those who have died in faith, we are obliged to remember the person, neither amplifying their positive attributes, nor ignoring their weaknesses, but most of all giving thanks to God for the ways God was at work within them and for the glorious gift of faith and hope in Jesus Christ that saves us all, both saints and sinners. 

 

Someday, we will be perfected, just as those who have gone before us have been perfected in passing through the grave and gate of death to the fullness of God's kingdom, but until then, we remain in the struggle, living in trust and hope, and looking forward to the day when we will join them in being all that God has destined us to be.

 

Peace, 

 

Pastor Carol

 

Note: The Saint & Sinner motif in the picture at the top of this article appears on Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris