Saints

Today we remember all who have gone before us, especially those we have known and loved.

After this I, John, looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." - Revelation 7:9-17

In the Episcopal Church, we recognize all the faithful as saints, children of God, beloved, and we know that if we believe and follow Christ, we will see God.

John's vision, as described in the Book of Revelation, is of all the saints bowing down before God and singing praises to Him.

He says that all who have suffered in life will suffer no more.  They will be brought before the waters of life and every tear will be wiped form their eyes.  No wonder they praise God.

But is there more God has in store for them, for us?

I believe one of the main jobs for the saints is to be an example of hope for us, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that they get involved in aiding us in our suffering here, in our time.

How many who have lost a loved one feel the presence of that person with them as they deal with the struggle of their passing?

So, today, let us remember them and hold them in our hearts.  They are walking beside us, helping us and remaining with us in love.

Isn't that a good way to think of them?

More to come...