We give thanks for both the saints in glory and those on earth.
All Saints Day is an opportunity to give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith. It is a time to celebrate all those who have poured light and love into our lives and commit to do the same for others.
From the early days of Christianity, there is a sense that the Church consists of not only all living believers, but also all who have gone before us. For example, in Hebrews 12 the author encourages Christians to remember that a "great cloud of witnesses" surrounds us encouraging us, cheering us on.
Charles Wesley, John's brother, picks up on this theme in his hymn that appears in our United Methodist Hymnal as "Come, Let Us Join our Friends Above," #709. In the first verse, he offers a wonderful image of the Church through the ages:
Let saints on earth unite to sing,
with those to glory gone,
for all the servants of our King
in earth and heaven, are one.
We remember all those who are part of the "communion of saints." We share stories of those "to glory gone." Retelling these stories grounds us in our history. These memories teach us how God has provided for us through the generosity and sacrifice of others and encourage us to be all God has created us to be.
