All Saints Day - Hallowmas

Greetings Dear Reader,

The first mention of a feast day to reverence all saints appears in the writings of Ephrem Syrus (373 AD).   It was not an attempt to venerate any particular persons but rather a celebration of all those who have found and follow Christ.  Over the centuries this has become forgotten and instead we fragment our relationships by venerating one man above another.

I think that it is wise to take the time to ponder the vast sea of those who have lived out lives of faith before us.  We spend great time and energy discussing and quarreling over the things that divide those who follow Christ.  I think it much more profitable to ponder the things that unite us.

As a people of faith following Christ we are commanded to be good to each other.  We are required to be kind and loving.  The things that divide us are not what we should focus on as Christ followers.  We have too much to do that should unite us.  Imagine the power of all those who claim to follow Christ abandoning their differences in light of working toward the common good.

The power of God’s love and compassion is unstoppable if his followers will only employ it.  My Son Maxim once mentioned it this way.  “I guess that's the simplest way I can think to put it. Follow Jesus now, not in hope of things to come, but for the sake of everyone around you. IF we Christians would actually try to follow Jesus, if all of us would, Heaven wouldn't really need to come to us.”

All saints have to power to work toward this if they will humbly release the things that distract them.  I honor everyone that follow Christ no matter what our differences may be in practice and observance.  No matter what we claim to believe about Christ his commands for us to be unified and honor each other are clear.

So today I will renew my purpose to pursue the things that unite us rather than focusing on the things that divide us.  There are too many in need of what Christ ahs to offer not to do this.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."