Saturday is Festum Omnium Sanctorum….All Saints Day. In fact, every November 1st is. Most churches celebrate this day on the first Sunday of November.
The origin of All Saints Day goes back to 609 A.D. when Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the memory of the Virgin Mary and to all people who had been martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ.
In medieval times, the translation from the Latin “Festum Omnium Sanctorum” into old English became “All Hallowmas”. Hallow means sanctify or consecrate, which is why when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we prayer “Hallowed be Thy Name.” Mas means mass, which is a holy service of remembrance where the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. So “All Hallowmas” was a day when all the saints were remembered, and the celebration of memory to “do this in remembrance of me” took place. All Saints Day.
Of course, you can now understand where the term “All Hallows Eve”, the day before “All Hallowmas” comes from. All Hallows Eve became shortened to “Halloween”, which is October 31. And Friday evening I expect my front yard to be enundated with little ghosts and goblins and spidermen and Harry Potters and Miley Cyrus's.
This year on All Saints Day, the Auburn Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels square off in Oxford, Mississippi. And being a faithful fan I will be watching and cheering my Auburn Tigers. I hope, and fully expect, to see them play for 4 full quarters. I want to see an effort in the second half I haven't yet seen.
Others of you may be watching and cheering the Bulldogs or Gators as they square off….or the Volunteers or Gamecocks….or Cornhuskers or Sooners, or whoever your favorite team may be.
But we all need to remember that these games are not the most important thing taking place on Saturday, November 1. The most important thing taking place is a day the church, for almost 1400 years, has set aside to remember those who have gone on to their heavenly reward because of their faith.
Each of you reading this knows someone. Maybe a friend. Maybe parents. Grandparents. Relatives. Ministers. Neighbors. Maybe even children. People you know and love who are no longer with us on this earth, but who now call "heaven" home. Take a moment on Saturday to remember them. And thank God for them. For what they meant and continue to mean to you.
On Sunday, the church I attend will be celebrating communion. If the Lord is willing, I will be there…..taking the bread and wine….in remembrance. All Saints Sunday.
WJLaneSR.
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