They R us

Pastor Phil Kniss pointed out the irony of Park View Mennonite Church celebrating All Saints Sunday. After all, early Anabaptists spoke out against the practice of venerating saints. But there is both value and danger in remembering those who have gone before us. They are a part of the cloud of witnesses that surround us. But they are not perfect beings worthy of our worship. They are like us. When we celebrate All Saints Day at Park View, we honor those who have gone before us because they are like us; beloved children of God. We honor them because directly or indirectly they have helped to spiritually form us.