REMEMBERING THE SAINTS

REMEMBERING THE SAINTS

 

One interesting tradition in our country, which is printed in the calendar as official holiday,  is  the day of  honoring  the dead.

This   custom has long been ingrained that we go back to the places where we buried our dead, light candles for them, and partake of food around the graves of the departed loved ones. 

All the cemeteries are crowded  as people come in droves. This is the only occasion where the burial ground ceases to be the symbol of grief,  as all sorrows are banished from the mind of the living, while enjoying  the company of the dead, in a picnic like setting.  

The Roman Catholic tradition of All Saints Day is here to stay.  The original intent is for the church to honor the saints. The church eventually instituted a common  feast day for all the saints which is November 1.  This is the day when the church honors all saints known and unknown. 

The mainstream Protestant denominations have their equivalent practice which is Memorial day where dearly departed Christians are remembered. This is in line with the Biblical teaching that all true Christian believers are regarded as saints.

What I love about this tradition is the drawing together of family members on this special day.  The exodus of people to the Ports, Airports, Bus terminals or train stations is a sight to behold as everyone is in a hurry to be home before that day.

We go back to our homes and native places where we buried our loved ones who had gone ahead of us.

We gather at their tombs,  reminiscing their lives, reflecting how we are essentially connected with them.

We think of their earthly life as mirrors of  our own for they were once living  part of us.

We prepare food and share in the meal as if they were once again dining with us remembering the happy times and moments, which continue to live  in our memories not knowing the time when the same memories of us  will come to an end  but hoping that they  who  come after us will keep them alive again.

We think of the Christian faith which  had sustained them  in this life. We think of how they had kept alive this faith for us,  and  in us. 

As Christians we  are  comforted by the words of the Psalmist  who  declared: “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116:15)