Theme for Saints Day

What is a saint?

Reading from 1 John sums it up, a saint is simply a child of God

In the New Testament ‘Saints’  can be defined as those who have been ‘called .’

The word ‘saint’s has deep OT roots in a term that has the sense of being ‘set apart for God’s sole use. Just as the objects used in temple worship were not to be diverted to common or unclean use, so God  has set those He calls  apart for himself and for his service.

I have here a gift I was given at my Ordination, by relatives and friends, a Chalice and Patten for home communions. I would never dream of setting these out on my table at home, or leave them lying around for someone to put milk or juice in. They are special to me, they have a special purpose, I clean them up after use and I polish them and I use them as holy vessels with which to feed those I visit with the body and blood of Jesus.

I can use any other vessel in the house to do all kinds of things, but these are special.

Just like us, God’s saints.

We are God’s chosen ones, a people set apart, vessels he will use, for his purposes.

As we humble ourselves and allow ourselves to be used, we will find out how blessed we are

 John’s describes us in a different way, an equally useful analogy; that of being God’s children, in love with their God.

And when he appears we shall be like him.

Why? Because a child trusts, loves, imitates a parent, and would give their all to protect and defend that parent, and honour the rules laid out to them, that is until they get older and think they know better, that’s when they become like young adults!

I once asked a question in a lesson, who or what would you be prepared to die for or risk your life for.

Every hand in the class went up to respond to the fact that that they were prepared to die for their parents , or risk their lives for them.

Saints through the ages have been willing to do that , such is their loyalty to God. They too have trusted , loved , imitated…one they call parent..Father.

There is a song which talks of ‘growing up’ to be a child. This desire to return almost to that state of blessedness, when life was new, fresh, innocent, uncomplicated, colourful, exciting.

When did we last feel like that about God and about life?

It is when we as God’s saints become childlike, that we become more mature, it is possible to grow up to be a child.

We all have available to us access into being God’s children, to become childlike.

Songs: Growing up to be a Child: Sheila Walsh

             I want to be a child again: (?)