All Saints’ Day

Friday 1. November 2019

18. Trinity, All Saints' Day

Jesus said: »„For which is easier, to say: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say: 'Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins“ —He then said to the paralytic— „Rise, pick up your bed and go home.“« (Matthew 9,5-6)

Jesus’ ministry involved making people saints, and thus involved both he physical and spiritual. In the case of the paralytic Jesus made his body whole and healthy; then He forgave the man his sins. Jesus made the entire man righteous as He removes sin and sin’s consequences. 

Luther dealt with the entire person, too, in his day. The Church had been corrupted with penances, indulgences and other works righteousness that encroached upon the pure gospel. Such burdens afflicted both the physical and the spiritual nature of people. Luther reformed those Medieval merits of works righteousness and put the focus back on Christ, His merits and the gospel of grace and faith. 

Jesus makes you a saint. You don't need a papal proclamation and proof of two miracles. You only need Jesus and the declared righteousness that He freely and mercifully gives you in the waters of Holy Baptism. Faith receives this righteousness as one's own, and thus, forgiven and redeemed, you are a saint in the eyes of God the Father. As saints we pray and worship the Triune God. We petition God to intervene in the chaos and corruption found in this world. We pray for our neighbors, for their needs and, as we are able, we are charitable to them and help them in their time of need.  We pray for peace and the proclamation of the pure gospel. 

For all the saints who from their labors rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, 

Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blest. 

Alleluia! Alleluia! 

Oh, blessed communion, fellowship Divine!

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

Yet all are one in Thee, for all Thine.Alleluia! Alleluia! (LSB 677,1.4) 

Prayer: O Almighty and Everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and Godly living so that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.  Amen. (F34, Treasury of Daily Prayer)