FOR ALL THE SAINTS

Who from their labours rest... thy name is Jesus be forever blessed

I love All Saints Day, particularly because I am one of those people who need a little nudge now and then to alert me to the fact of our being surrounded by such a great crowd of supporters. It is not too much of a vanity to think of yourself being cheered on by your favourite or Patron Saint. What an extraordinary set of people they are!

We all have our favourites, amongst mine is St Francis who would have been entertaining, acerbic, demanding and challenging and as far as I can tell a little smelly- as I do not think laundry matters were of a great concern to him. Of course we also have the great biblical Saints of the New Testament, the Patrons of our Churches. In the Orthodox Church all the leading Old Testament figures are also considered Saints. So there is a great number to choose from and picture. However it doesn't stop there! There are the Saints who are martyrs and who have certainly found themselves with novel ways of dying, amongst these are being toasted to death on a griddle - St Faith (Patron Saint of barbecues??), shot by arrows - St Sebastian, thrown in arenas, stoned, beheaded and so many other ways of dying that it would take too long to list here.

All of them lived and died to bear witness to the love of God in their generation and they undoubtedly cheer us on from their heavenly home as we strive to bear similar witness in a confusing and confused world.

My suggestion for you this season is to pick three or four Saints amongst those you don't know and find out about them and make yourself a little prayer card you can use to remind you of your extended family who are 'hid with Christ in God' and I am sure they will help you through the winter days giving you hope and a fresh perspective of life that has its focus and confidence in Jesus.

Fr. Robin Coutts