All Saints, November 5, 2023: Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 34:1-10, 22; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
Today we observed the feast of All Saints, when we remember the saints who have shown us the way. In the calendar, All Saints on November 1 is followed by All Souls day on November 2, when we remember all those who have died, whether or not they are saints.
In many Catholic cultures, there is a tradition that the time between October 31 and November 2 is a time when the dead can visit us – a source of many Halloween traditions. The Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos (All Souls) encourage people to remember their ancestors, not just those they have known: the visual displays in ofrendas, with pictures and gifts, are a vivid reminder of those who have gone before us.
In the last year, many people I cared deeply about have died, so the remembrances of All Saints and All Souls seem more important than ever. The Litany of the Saints incorporates saints known and unknown, and gives us an opportunity to remember those in our personal pantheons.
This remembrance is important, because we carry things from those we have known and loved. They have all have taught us something. In honoring All Saints and All Souls, we have the opportunity to also give thanks for their lives and the gifts they have given us.
May we remember those who have gone before, and pass their lessons on to those who will follow us.