All Saints' Sunday

             Most Churches will have moved All Saints'  to A Sunday Celebration

Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.

“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets."

"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.

"Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:20-31

All Saints'

We may know some of the shoulders

we stand on, our families passed on

yet under them for  countless generations

the faithful have been waiting for us.

Unknown strangers prayed for us

before we were ever born or breathing

they hoped and died so that we might

make love a littler more real today.

They have faded mostly from the stories

they stayed back in the fields and kitchens

they labored in silence they sang in the night

knowing that the children or promise were coming.

Their skin was dark or their eyes sky blue

they were strangers in their present place

yet indigenous to these ancient lands

bowed over with oppression yet fully free.

Their songs still ring in the deepest night

when small one cry and parents weep

when our youth wander lost and unknown

their songs bring them home with love again.