The normalcy of a remarkable life
All Saints B | John 11:32-44
Today we celebrate all of the saints, an opportunity that suggests the many and the one; the whole multitude of Holy Women and Holy Men who comprise our Great Cloud of Witnesses, some who were disciples and apostles, some who were martyrs, all who were bishops, priests, deacons, or laypersons, musicians and liturgists, witnesses and prophets, healers and teachers, politicians and judges, all sorts and conditions of people. Some were tortured mystics and others were beloved and generous. Each has a story, a conviction, something that gave them a sense of purpose. All have a story for us to hear and work with to see something of the grace of God, the love of Christ, and the truth of Spirit.
What makes a saint has evolved over the centuries, as patterns and expectations have changed, churches changed with denominationalism and disputes. We share many saints with Catholic and Lutheran and Orthodox siblings in Christ, but we have many of our own.
Sometimes we shy away from the S-word to describe them, as we have a hard enough time keeping this stuff straight inside The Episcopal Church. Talking about saints with other churches invites conversations about their processes which are just as confusing as our own.
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