[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during October 2023]
In the ecclesiastical calendar of the Roman Catholic church and that of the international Anglican communion the first day of November each year is designated as “All Saints’ Day”. In the Eastern Orthodox churches a similar event is recognised on the first Sunday following Pentecost. The day before All Saints’ Day is All Saints’ Eve, which in Old English is All Hallows Eve. Linguistically, this designation has evolved into ‘Halloween’.
All Saints’ Day has nothing to do with a certain south-coast football team or a female pop group. It is not limited to those canonised saints so-named by the major denominations but, like the altar to the unknown god that Paul saw in Athens, it serves as a catch-all for those unnamed saints and martyrs who do not have particular celebratory days assigned to their memory.
All Saints’ Day is an opportunity to remember those people who have lived before us; in particular those, ancient or modern, clerical or laity, who have had a positive influence on our own spiritual lives. In this context the designation of ‘saint’ conforms with that of the New Testament writers, such as when Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth:
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Corinthians 1 v2 [NKJV]
Historically, grateful believers would visit the graves or shrines of the saints, lighting candles in commemoration and perhaps sharing a meal of their saint’s favourite food. In this form it was, essentially, a way of honouring the memory of those who have gone before and expressing gratitude for the spiritual blessings associated with the chosen benefactor.
From our modern perspective, it is not difficult to see how venerable nocturnal activities in graveyards came to be corrupted by thoughts of ghosts and demons and similar superstitions. Commercialisation of this and other ecclesiastical events has led to the erosion of their original meanings. Many people see the modern celebrations as ‘just a bit of fun’ without realising the sinister undertones that they have acquired.
So, how should we think of All Saints Day and, by extension, All Hallows Eve? The Church of England says of All Saints’ Day that “It allows us to remember with thanksgiving before God those whom we have known more directly: those who gave us life, or who nurtured us in faith”.[1]
The book of Hebrews includes a roll-call[2] of Old Testament saints who were commended for their faith and became an inspiration to others. Would the list have been longer if there had not been a cut-off date for the Bible account? Who would you nominate for inclusion? Let us give thanks for them.
Resources:
[1] quoted from https://www.churchofengland.org/
[2] Hebrews 11 v1-40
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys
Bas certainly qualifies!