For All the Saints . . . And the Sinners, Too
We Lutherans don’t address one another as saints, and we certainly aren’t bold enough to consider ourselves as saintly. In fact, it’s pretty safe to assume that when most of us visualize a saint, a person in biblical-style robes comes to mind, and there may even be a halo shining over his or her head. Of course, we also might imagine angels as white-robed beings lounging around on puffy white clouds, perhaps plucking the strings of a harp. Although these artistic images have been around for centuries, we need to take a giant leap back to the first century for something of a reality check.
Beginning in the Book of Acts, the believers and followers of Jesus’ teachings are referred to as saints. As the Apostle Paul addressed his letters to the churches of Rome, Ephesus, Galatia, Corinth, and others, he greeted them as saints. These were everyday people, learning and doing their best to live according to the teachings of Jesus, and sharing this Good News with all. They weren’t perfect, as throughout the New Testament, Paul advised them on how to work together, to care for others and to reflect Jesus’ love for all people. They weren’t walking around in some kind of bubble of holiness, untouched by the common concerns of life. They were as human as we are, they made mistakes, and they had their doubts and problems as they learned about and followed the Lord in whom they believed.
A couple thousand years have passed, and what do you know? Christians are still dealing with many of the same problems as our ancestors in the faith did. We try and fail, we hope and doubt, we are discouraged and inspired. In other words, we are children of God, called for his purposes, and made strong through his promises. When we doubt or fail, we are reminded that God’s love is never-ending and never-failing, and that we are freed from the power of sin by the life, death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Martin Luther came to understand that people are both saints and sinners, which isn’t as contradictory as it sounds. We are born into sin, and it is present in our world, but through Christ we are made saints, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians:“For by grace you have been saved through faith . . . it is the gift of God. . .” Saints are not mystical, unbelievably perfect beings; rather, they are the people who live their faith, doing their best, giving life and meaning to the teachings of our Lord. They’ve shown us that you can fall down and get up, that you can do wrong and be forgiven, and that the gift of God’s grace is endless and eternal.
How blessed we are by this great assembly of saints, from the early Christians, faithful through hardship and danger, to the scholars, teachers and leaders whose work spread the Good News throughout the world. For our personal saints, who have loved us, taught and encouraged us, and shared their lives of faith with us, we thank God . . . “For all the Saints”!
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers