October 28, 2026

I am grateful that Hazelwood has a tradition of honoring All Saints Sunday. I did not grow up with such a recognition. During this time of the year, I gave more attention to the night of All Hallows Eve and amassing candy than to remembering the saints who had gone before me.

It is more than appropriate for the gathered body of the church to recognize those who have died during the previous year and to call to mind those loved ones whom we wish to remember. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews encourages his readers with the words, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely… (NRSVUE 12:1).” The “we are surrounded” seems to be a given for the author, which begs the question in my mind as to what that actually “looks” like (if “looking” is the proper sense to use)? Ghosts? Spirits? Whirling and circling around us as we go about our daily lives?

Since we are surrounded, the author calls us to “lay aside every weight and sin.” Is that because we’re being watched 24/7? Or, perhaps, we do not have to carry the load of living by ourselves. Our saints not only support us but also help support our cares and concerns and whatever may weigh us down. I can’t help but think of the song “Bridge Over Troubled Water” as an illustration as to how this might “look.” (And for a beautiful version of this song go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmszJQzuAcc.)

Rev. Eric