Hebrews 12, verses 1 and 2 tells us; “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Today is November first which also tells us that it is not only the day after Halloween, but it is All Saints Day. Within many churches, this is the day when we remember those who we have lost, who have passed away. This Sunday, all over the world, remembrances will take place for our loved ones who have passed away in the previous year. Although this is usually a somber worship service, I find the desire to make this a celebration. We are celebrating the lives of these saints, people who have lived their lives as an example of Christian living. They instilled in us their love for us and for those around them, and so we remember them this day.
The passage from Hebrews today lets us know that although others have passed away, they are not far from us. We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. This could certainly mean that we are surrounded in our everyday lives by those who are saints, by who they are and what they do, but also those who are no longer with us on this earth.
I know that if I ask you to tell me about your parents or grandparents, you would tell me about how they lived and how they taught. Their examples of how to live are within each and every one of you. Many of our life lessons came from someone who is no longer with us, and they got their information from those before them, and the cycle goes on and on. So you can see how this great cloud of witnesses is never that far away from us.
So, I encourage you today, tomorrow, and especially this Sunday for All Saints Sunday, to reflect on those lives who have formed you into who you are today. Whether is it someone who is still alive or someone who has passed on to paradise, think about the lessons they shared with you. Think about how they taught you to live and how to love. And then celebrate them. Name them in your worship services this week, or just in your own time, thank God for them.
Then, thank God for the future hope we all have, that one day we will all be together once again, gathered around the table for a feast and celebration like no other!