I’ve sung “For All the Saints” at many funerals. These days we often sing that hymn on All Saints Day as well. And now, with my life touched by so many deaths (and a whole lot of lived experience), my eyes fill with tears when I sing: O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia, Alleluia! (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 422)
The hopeful words of the final verses of “For All the Saints” paint a picture of a “far more glorious day” when all the saints–“the countless hosts”–are gathered, from all around the world, singing praises to our Triune God. Tears of joy come as I anticipate that glorious day!
This message is an excerpt from the Grace notes column, “The fellowship divine,” by Linda Post Bushkofsky in the November 2018 issue of Gather magazine. Today is All Saints Day.
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