Why we remember

All Saints Sunday was celebrated this morning at Park View Mennonite Church. Pastor Barbara Moyer Lehman reminded us that saints are not perfect people. They are people whose love of God is the center of their lives. By the way they live, they draw others toward God. On All Saints Sunday our tradition is to read the names of those from this congregation who have died. Pastor Barbara suggested that this day of remembering  might prompt us to consider death. What are our questions, fears, and hopes  relating to death? What must we do to "get our house in order"? We remember the dead to honor them, to remember and learn from how they lived and died. We learn from and are inspired by their example. We remember, and the impact they have on our lives is not ended. In the relay race of life, they have passed the baton of faith to us. We should be mindful of what we must pass on to those who will run the next leg of the relay. In Ephesians 1:11-23, Paul prays for some of what we want to pass on, a transforming encounter with God.