Daily Pastoral #50
I hope this finds you warm and well this fine All Saints Day…
Our society in the US is centered on the individual, so it’s easy to get confined to individualistic thinking. We are, after all, a product of our culture. I don’t know how we in the US have managed to turn the Christian faith WHICH IS COMMUNAL IN NATURE) into a single-player activity. Christianity in the US is largely focused on the individual (individual wish fulfillment, individual salvation, individual righteous indignation, individual shame, individual glory, etc.).
But I hope you can rest today in such a big aspect of the Christian faith that a lot of people have been deprived of - and that is…
The communion of the saints.
No, dear reader, neither you nor I are in this alone. We have a vast cloud of witnesses surrounding us and cheering us on all the time. This even includes those you may have had an issue with before they died. On the other side, I believe, all have been reconciled and redeemed in the inescapably loving gaze of our Creator.
No one escapes it.
We do nothing alone.
You are surrounded in love.
Happy All Saints Day.
As Ever,
Jonas
Congratulations, Jonas, on your 50th pastoral! I’m so happy for you. We’re so lucky to have you as our minister — everything you write is full of meaning and inspiration. And you straighten us out. I like that. ;) I sincerely hope you and your family are well. You’re a hero in these dystopian times. Love as always, Em
Regarding your last lines, if you have, or can get your hands on, the Rule of St. Benedict, this reminds me of Chapter 72 , especially the last phrase of that chapter: "...may [Christ] lead us all together to life everlasting." (Sutera, St. Benedict's Rule: An Inclusive Translation)