“For All The Saints”

The Communion of Saints includes the Church militant (Church on earth), Church suffering ( souls in purgatory), and the Church triumphant (the Church in heaven). You and I who are reading this BLOG are part of the  Church militant; we are still in the fight. Our destiny is still up in the air. 

Having just celebrated All Saints and All Souls day, we have been focusing on those who have died and are hopefully in heaven or on their way. Their destiny is determined; they have finished the race on earth. We have said our farewell to them. As our mind is on those who have passed away, we need to be careful to not take our eye off the ball. We haven’t died and gone to heaven. You and I are still in the fight. Our destiny is not yet determined. 

We’re cautioned to “keep our head in the clouds and our feet on the ground”. In other words keep our eyes on heaven and the wonderful things of God, but remember to keep doing our duty…. hear the word of God and also obey the word of God…. “hear & obey”. So we can think about our loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord, but we need to keep fighting the good fight of faith. 

Even St. Paul cautioned himself to not slack off.  “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1Cor. 9: 22-27)

So as we miss those who have passed away, let us keep fighting the good fight of faith. At some point, we will be called home from the fight. Let us be ready when our call comes.  In the meantime, let’s join in singing this beautiful hymn:

For All The Saints

 1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,          
who Thee by faith before the world confessed;          
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

2 Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

3 O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

4 And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

5 But then there breaks a still more glorious day:
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

6 From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
in praise of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

William Walshom How (1823)