Saints

There are many people, some whom I've never met, that I feel are saints in my life.

Many of you know that in my spirituality, I've been influenced greatly by St. Benedict and the Rule that he wrote for his monks to live under. What a wonderfully God-centered man, who created an order for life that still stands the test of time.

One of the early saints in my life growing up was my paternal grandfather, Grandpa Jardine. He taught me the joys of listening to classical music, fishing with just enough worm on a hook to tempt a potential dinner entree, and the importance of education. He was a very special saint in my life.

Among the many jobs a priest has, is one that I cherish most. It is walking with people through this life, and celebrating their lives as they pass to the joys of heaven. I've posted the picture here of a saint that passed that I think of often and treasure the memories of -- Miss Hazel Wales. Hazel at the end of most sentences would exclaim, "Well Bless You" -- it was the way she said it -- and meant it -- that touched my heart the most.

Today, there are many people I consider saints in my life -- teachers and friends that are wise and offer kind, sage words.

Saints are always around us -- that is what the communion of Saints is all about. According to the Episcopal Dictionary (which I love to offer info from each week on the email blast), the communion of Saints is the union and shared life of all Christians in Christ, including those who now live in the world and those whose mortal lives have ended. The collect for All Saints' Day states, "Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord"(BCP p. 245). The Apostles' Creed affirms the communion of saints, and the Catechism explains that it is "the whole family of God, the lviing and the dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer, and priase" (BCP pp. 96, 862). A hymn text by Charles Wesley (526 in The Hymnal 1982) prays, "Let saints on earth in concert sing with those whose whork is done; for all the servants of our King in heaven and earth are one."





I pray you give thanks this day for ALL the Saints in your life....