All Saints | 1st November 2026 | St Anne’s, Wrenthorpe | Eucharist
Matthew 5.1-12 | Revelation 7:9-17 | 1 John 3.1-3
It’s a tough time for democracy, right now. Admittedly, that could be said about most of this century, so far. Now though, the governance of the people, of nations and resources, across the world, seems even more challenged than normal.
From high-stakes elections in America, Israel and elsewhere to street protests in France; whether the people long for change or to stay the same; amidst optimism for all the people, or the narrow view akin to dictators – depending on where you may stand – the cry is the same: ‘we want someone to come and fix the world’.
For some bizarre reason, this is more often than not a request for a “strong man” who will lead us into a bright future, tell everyone else that we are right, they are wrong and, by the way, we want all the money, all the oil and all the land. And we want to be free! Although the concept of freedom is open to interpretation, and for many, is more about the mis-remembered dynamics of childhood!
Much of the world believes that democracy – a genuine choice at the ballot box – is the only way to ensure fair and legitimate governance. Not everyone thinks that, and even those that do, often seek to make it work for their own purposes.
When it all fails, and the masses take to the streets, with reasonable protests, it isn’t long before it is subverted either by louder voices, or a descent into chaos driven by a few with darker and more selfish motives.
We see it all so clearly, played out on a multitude of news outlets – none of which we can truly have faith in, or at least that is what we are told.
Well that’s a cheery introduction, isn’t it?
Seriously though… What do we do? How can we look at our children and grandchildren and tell them with honesty and hope, that all will be well? They won’t believe us. We may think that involving younger people in ‘big picture’ stuff, a lower voting age, will help build a promising future. Maybe it will, I don’t know.
I do know that we – you and I, as disciples of Jesus Christ – must never give up on this life. All that we are, all that we say and do, is relevant to the now and to the future. Our understanding and faith in Jesus will underpin and influence our choices, and the relationships we build.
It is said that “…there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Those who welcomed Jesus as King and Messiah – riding into Jerusalem on a donkey – they all wanted someone “strong” to make it all right – get rid of the Romans and all would be well. Nothing new there.
What did Jesus offer them? Well they didn’t expect the Beatitudes, did they!
Matthew’s fifth chapter is filled with Jesus giving the Good News of how the Kingdom could and should be lived on earth – as it is in Heaven.
We only heard a short passage today, but this entire discourse from Jesus offers a whole new way of living hopeful lives built on responsibility, love, forgiveness and faithfulness to God.
He reminds those listening that He has not come to brush away the Law and the prophets, but to fulfil them. The Law, rooted in the covenant between God and the people of Israel, had shaped generations of Jewish worship, faithfulness and understanding of justice.
The commandments provided a “legal” framework for society. Jesus offered spiritual fulfilment developed from moving beyond the “letter of the law” to a a right relationship with God, and one another. In the Beatitudes, God is life-giver rather than just a lawgiver.
If you were to point to a section of the Bible that summarised your understanding of morality, where would you go? Deuteronomy? The Ten Commandments? Something from Paul, perhaps? Or Matthew, and this glimpse of heaven on earth, in the words of the Christ…
Let’s stay with Jesus’s words, for a moment. He is speaking to His disciples, along with “the crowds” – all hoping for something… anything, to transform their lives.
He identifies people – in their human condition – who would have been listening and wondering…
The poor in spirit…
The meek…
Those longing for justice…
Those who are merciful…
…Pure in heart…
Those who make peace…
Those persecuted for aspiring to righteousness…
And for believing in Jesus…
Jesus offered back words of hope. I wonder what they sounded like then?
How do they seem now?
The Beatitudes are not some moral self-improvement plan. They are not mere sentiments or greeting card slogans meant to soothe us; they are meant to shake us awake; it’s not a to-do list or obedience training designed to earn God’s favour, nor are they shame tactics intended to induce guilt, or excuse indifference to suffering.
This is Jesus embracing those already blessed in God’s arriving kingdom.
Yet, there is a tension between our present reality of a suffering world, and the ultimate fulfilment of God’s kingdom. Real discipleship occurs within this tension. We see it in forgiveness – often at a high cost, and in the challenge of peacemaking and mercy – when the world says to do otherwise. We witness this tension when we stand alongside those who mourn – because they need that, and so do we. This is how we show the character of God, visible on Earth.
And the saints?
Those known as saints are not popular, influential leaders who have succeeded in making themselves worthy of heaven. They are witnesses to the grace of God, whose kingdom is already breaking into the world and whose promise will not fail.
We tend to notice the people at the top: the presidents, the prime ministers, the powerful, the celebrated.
But the kingdom of God draws our attention elsewhere…
The saints-in-waiting…
Those who try to make peace in divided communities, pushing against closed doors of self-interest and hate;
Those caring for the vulnerable, regardless of cost and lack of recognition;
Those that refuse to let injustice become normal, or let the mob have the last word;
And who continue to love their neighbours when the world says… NO! fear them, despise them, turn your back on them…
Such people may never make the headlines – yet you will know them.
We pray that they, like us, just might have a little bit of light so that God’s kingdom becomes visible.
And on All Saints’ Sunday, we remember that their witness is not lost.
I often choose Óscar Romero, an Archbishop in El Salvador during the late 1970’s, as my’ go-to’ example of sainthood. As well as being from recent memory, he passed through a transformation – from a safe choice by the conservative church leadership, to someone who used their position to speak truth directly to military and political elites. Despite the best efforts of many in power to silence him, Romero upheld Christ-like values, addressing the needs of oppressed people – like Jesus did in Matthew’s Gospel. In March 1980, while celebrating Mass, Romero was assassinated. He had refused to remain silent in the face of injustice. His faith had become inseparable from his public witness.
In the Bible, the word ‘saint’ collectively describes those whose lives are set apart for God – lived in obedience and faithfulness – yet not necessarily in a moral sense, as we might think of it. Transformation is at the root of the saints – their own, and those around them – in building the kingdom – often at a great cost.
And then, in Revelation, we hear of another gathering. This time, it’s not the crowds gathered around a powerful leader, demanding that someone put the world right. It’s a multitude, too great to count, from every nation, every tribe, every people and language.
They have known suffering. They have struggled, mourned and endured. They have passed through the great ordeal.
And where do we find them? Standing before the throne of God, and before the Lamb.
A Lamb! Not a shouty, self-important idiot, that the world might have expected, but Jesus Christ, who gave himself for all.
We don’t hear that their suffering was somehow worthwhile, or that they succeeded in overcoming every injustice.
We do hear that God has not forgotten them. That the Lamb will be their shepherd, and that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. This is what we recall in the funeral rite.
Perhaps that is the greatest promise for this feast-day. That the lives of those who have followed Jesus, often through suffering and uncertainty, have not been wasted. That the kingdom they glimpsed will one day be fulfilled. And that the final word belongs not to those with earthly power, but to God.
So what then do we do for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, for our nation and for our world? Perhaps first we remember that we are not called to fix the world on our own. Jesus did not ask that of us, but He did ask us to follow him.
We cannot have all the answers, but we can tell people about Jesus, through how we live our lives
To stand alongside those who need help, love, support and a voice.
To show mercy when the world demands judgement.
To make peace instead of division.
To refuse to accept injustice simply because it has become familiar.
And to do these things not because we believe we can earn our place in heaven, but because God’s kingdom is already among us.
My sisters and brothers,
I pray that the witness of the saints, in light, guides you on your journey this week.
Our work continues, as it always does, in faith, hope and love.
Amen.
Image: I was thinking ‘saints in light’. This probably worked better in my head, tbh. It isn’t AI though 😉
A portion of a larger image taken by Armando Gallo, photographer for Genesis, during their Wind and Wuthering tour in 1977. I was always captivated by the image on the front of Second Out – atmospheric concert lighting with Vari-lites. Original image available in poor quality in many places on the Internet.