November 2009
I sing a song of the saints of God
Among the most requested hymns is “I sing a song of the saints of God.” It is easy to sing but it is the poetry of each verse that warms our hearts. During the month of November we will be celebrating all the saints and make a commitment “to be one too!”
When we speak of the saints we do so with both a capital “S” meaning the Saints like James, and John and with a lower case “s,” those Christians who influenced our lives and helped us understand our calling to live as one of those set apart and blessed by God to be witness of the light in an ever darkening world.
I have read the latest book by Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World, and we are discussing it in the Rector’s class in the Gathering Area. One of the chapters is “The Practice of Wearing Skin.” Stanley Hauerwas wrote: “Christianity is not a set of beliefs or doctrines one believes in order to be a Christian, but rather Christianity is to have one’s body shaped, one’s habits determined, in such a way that the worship of God is unavoidable.” We become places where people can come to know God through us in sacramental ways. We, too, can be “saints.”
I want each one of us prior to Thanksgiving Day to spend some time identifying the “saints” in our lives. Then make time to write down our reflections as a spiritual discipline and for possible future publication in The Messenger.
One of the most influential “saints” in my life was Mr. Charles Donaldson. After he graduated from college he returned home to his gravely ill father and mother who was confined to a wheel chair. His father asked him to take care of his mother and not have her forced to live in a nursing home. When his father died, Charles moved into the family home and cared for his mother for many years.
He also taught Sunday School, was the acolyte master and helped direct the youth group. He knew every child in the parish by name and sent them cards when they were sick and visited them in the hospital. He gently guided us week after week. When Mr. Donaldson spoke we all listened because he was authentic in his love of God, his love for his mother, and his love for us. He was the first person to suggest to me a call to the priesthood, and he was there the day I was ordained.
The saints of God are just folks like you and like me and we are all called to be one for all those who need to hear and to see good news at work in the world around us. May our “sainthood” be a legacy to future generations.
Fr. Ken †
