“It is also taught among us that saints should be kept in remembrance so that our faith may be strengthened when we see what grace they received and how they were sustained by faith.  Moreover, their good works are to be an example for us, each of us in our own calling.”

(From Article XXI of the Augsburg Confession)

November is an awesome month.  It usually is a physical reminder of the changing of the seasons, (which is not always so noticeable in Arizona), and the consistency of change in our lives.  In the liturgical calendar, the changing of themes is very noticeable in that we begin November with All Saints Sunday and move to a Thanksgiving Service and then recognize Christ the King.  How awesome is that?

This All Saints will be different for me, as it will be for many.  But with the passing of my mom, it will be especially special.  And as I’ve been processing and reflecting on my mom, I can’t help but think of the words above from the Augsburg Confession.  Yes, my faith is a great gift of and from God and yet the way in which my mom, through the grace of God, lived a life of grace certainly had a very powerful impact on the development of the faith God has given me.  And for this I can only give thanks to God.

In the Roman Catholic tradition, there is a process of canonizing a saint.  One of the criteria is to have at least two miracles attested to the saint. Well, my mom and as far as that goes, all moms, easily meet this qualification because I’m thinking, “It was a miracle my mom didn’t kill us (my brother, sister and I) and it was a miracle my mom never gave up on us.”  What is a miracle but to recognize the Holiness of God’s presence and activity, the supernatural, the beyond natural essence of God manifesting in the world around us.  To express and live a life of unconditional love is a miracle.

The very nature and essence of God and the expression of God’s unconditional love expressed in His Son – the Christ – is a miracle.  It is not of this world and yet finds expression and has a real power in this world because of people who find their lives to be sustained by faith.  This is a life that finds expression in daily living and journeying in faith which is a miracle in and of it’s self.  You are a miracle – God’s daily miracle.

I pray that as the “holiday season” unfolds in the next few months that as you gather with family and friends that you may be led in such a way that you find the opportunity to express your “miracle-ness”.  I hope and pray that the unconditional love of God is expressed in unconditional ways.  And as the month of November winds down, I pray that you find ways to express a sense of thankfulness and gratitude to the One who makes this all possible and makes all things possible – Jesus Christ our Lord.  Truly trust and believe you are a saint, a miracle of God.

In Christ’s love and service,      Pastor Dan

Contact Pastor Dan at: pastor@mtzionelca.com