Today is known as All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day.  Christians around the world celebrate in honor of all the saints, known and unknown.  My father, who spent his childhood in the Church of the Nazarene, always loved St. Paul.  My mother, who was Methodist for most of her life until she joined the Episcopal Church, always loved the Ever Blessed Virgin St. Mary.  I grew up referring to them by their first names, which seems disrespectful to me now.  Some Protestants believe Catholics, Orthodox, and other Christian denominations worship the saints and that it is a form of idolatry.  On the contrary, we are called to strive to be like them who led their lives following Jesus Christ and showing His love to others.  In the Book of Common Prayer the collect for today reads:

“Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:  Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.”

Today I will strive to be more like St. Mary, who answered God’s call without question, St. Paul, who wrote so strongly of faith in Jesus Christ, and my beloved St. Francis of Assisi, who once preached to the birds and befriended a wolf.  I wish all who read this a very blessed All Saints’ Day.