November 1st is All Saints' Day, which is the "Memorial Day" for the church. It's when the church remembers the saints and martyrs that have gone before us in the faith. It's also a wonderful day to remember the persecuted church around the world, those for whom confessing faith in Christ is dangerous and often life-threatening.
The icon to the left, for example, is called the Icon of the Holy Orthodox Martyrs of China, and would be a great way to meditate on the sufferings of the underground church in China right now. Notice Christ at the top center.
Christ Community will be celebrating All Saints the following Sunday (Nov 2) by reading the Scriptures from the lectionary and then hearing several people give 3-5 minute "mini-biographies" of saints, martyrs, or a group of currently persecuted Christians.
We'll respond in the Eucharist together, and by singing Graham Kendrick's song "How Long?":
Do you hear a sound more glorious?
Like the mighty roar of ocean waves
Many witnesses surround us
It’s a harmony of costly praise
From the lips of those who suffer
Of sighs and tears and martyrs’ prayers
Until this age is over.
How long, Lord, till you come?
How long till the earth is filled with your song?
How long until your justice shines like the sun?
How long, Lord, till you come?
How long till the earth is filled with your song?
How long, how long?
Lord, help us to live worthy of
Our sisters and our brothers
Who love you more than their own lives
Who worship as they suffer
To embrace the scandal of the cross
Not ashamed to tell your story
To count all earthly gain as loss
To know you and your glory
How long, Lord, till you come?
How long till the earth is filled with your song?
How long until your justice shines like the sun?
How long, Lord till you come?
How long till the whole world hears and the work is done
Until at last we see you return?
How long, Lord till you come?
How long till the earth is filled with your song?
How long, how long?
On All Saints' Day we remember the fact that this is a communal salvation, a corporate faith, and we often don't know what faithfulness looks like until we see it embodied in another human being. When we look back to the saints of history, we are also praying that their faithfulness would become ours, that we could inspire others as they have inspired us.
Who are some of the saints and martyrs in history who have inspired you to "love and good works"?
Or how about a group of currently persecuted Christians?
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