Through baptism we become members one of another in Christ, members of a company of saints whose mutual belonging transcends death:

One family, we dwell in him,
one Church, above, beneath;
though now divided by the stream,
the narrow stream of death. - Charles Wesley

All Saints’ Day and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed on All Souls’ Day tomorrow, both celebrate this mutual belonging. Today we honor men and women whose lives have shown the grace of God powerfully at work. It is an opportunity to give thanks for that grace, and for the wonderful ends to which it shapes a human life; be encouraged by the example of the saints, recall that sanctity may grow in ordinary lives, they were once just like us.

Redemption is a work of God’s grace; it is God who redeems us in Christ, His Kingdom dwells within us. We await His return that it may dwell outwardly in the world.

If able attend a church service today, share Communion with fellow Christians.