For all us Saints

Dorothy Day has a well-know quote. “Don’t make me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed so easily.” This, of course, many people want to ignore. It is not from a desire to be disrespectful but because of sincere admiration for her life. But why would Dorothy say such a thing? Perhaps because she didn’t want people to have an excuse not to attend to their neighbor’s needs or work to change unjust systems. She didn’t want people to underestimate their own power and strength.

From writings about Dorothy, I think it is fair to say that she was a woman of action and expected no less from anyone else. This is all true, but when I think of “a saint,” I think of someone who has a close and loving relationship with God. That person is so intertwined with the Divine that, as Julian of Norwich said, “Between me and God, there is no between.”

As I reflect on this All Saints Day, my prayer is two-fold. I pray that we have the courage to step forward to bring the fullness of the Kingdom of God into this time and place. I also pray that we can all believe that we are completely loved by God, that we can lose our egos as our spirits and the mystical Spirit get mixed up with each other.We are all created to be saints. Let us not experience this a day for “them” and “those” but as an encouragement for ourselves, and who we are created to be.

For all the saints

who, from their maker blessed,

who, by faith, before the world confessed

thy name of Jesus be forever blessed.

Alleluia. Alleluia.