This week, in many Christian churches, we celebrated a tradition called All Saints’ Day. It’s a time in our church year where we remember those who have died, especially in the last year. At my church, we read the names of everyone and then ring a bell after each name. It’s a somber moment, yet joyful as we consider those saints who have gone before us.
I was struck that this year’s All Saints’ Day scripture readings included Luke 6:20-31, which is a form of the Beatitudes. In those verses, Jesus talks about caring for the hungry, the poor, those who are weeping, and more. It felt like this strange juxtaposition to consider the saints — the ones who have died — but to also consider the saints as the ones among us who are poor, who are hungry, who are weeping.
I don’t remember much about my grandparents, but I know that my grandmother could peel potatoes without leaving any white of the potato on the skins. I know that my grandfather, when finding moldy cheese, would just cut the sliver of mold off and keep cooking with it. These were folks who lived through the Great Depression and who knew, deeply, what it felt like to be poor. This generation has a sense of stewardship of resources, since access was so limited.
It’s easy in modern times to either romanticize the “poor” as the ones we take care of with our collections and donations, our fancy fundraising dinners, and when we feel like we’re in control of the giving. Yet, at the same time, we criticize people living on the streets or using SNAP benefits while driving a “nice” car. We want to control who is poor and what it looks like to be poor, according to our religious, social and political values.
For me, as a follower of Jesus, I look to his words and when he reminded his followers that the poor, the hungry and the weeping would be blessed, sanctified, redeemed, beloved, then he reminds all of us that this is where we find Christ. Jesus said: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”
When we gather with the saints, we’re not only gathering with those who have gone before us, but the ones around us here and now, whether we like it or not. Furthermore, we are gathering with the saints yet to come, the ones who will inherit the world from our words and deeds right now.
As a follower of Jesus, I strive to show love in word and deed to all who I encounter, even if I’d rather not. Even if it’s not pretty. Even if it’s not public. Even if it’s not what other people want me to do.
As we continue to live in a divisive time of our nation, I invite you to consider how you care for the poor in your life — poor in food and money, yes, but poor in spirit. Poor in attitude. Poor in love. How might you share abundantly with all whom you encounter, showing the other about goodness, generosity and welcome without hesitation?
Peace be with you, dear ones.
The Rev. Meredith Harber serves Christ Lutheran Church, 128 N. Soldotna Ave. Worship is at 10 a.m. on Sundays in person or on Facebook Live.
