Sunday 2nd November – In Memoriam- Pastor Adrian Kitson

I remember, as a six year old, attending Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic primary school way out on the NE reaches of the WA Wheatbelt. It was run by an order of nuns called the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or ‘Presentation Sisters’ (founded in Ireland). They were the teachers and occasionally we were blessed by the presence of priests in all their vestments holding Mass in the dark domed top, candle lit church building on campus.

In those years and in the subsequent growing up years, when that word ‘saints’ came up, as it did a lot in the Catholic community, and occasionally at home, on TV or at school, I knew I was not one of them. I was not even sure I could ever be one of them.

This is because in my mind, a ‘saint’ was a ‘good’ person who had by their own goodness, skill, brilliance or special ability did what a normal person could not do. Saints were good people, spiritual people, perfect people, and I knew I was not one of them.

I suspected that whenever I died I would not be a super-holy person flying around the skies in the clouds with the ascended Jesus, with long robes singing and hearing prayers and helping people from ‘heaven’ as all the normal people on earth (like me) prayed for help.

I reckon most Aussies have something of this view of ‘saints’. Saints are clean people, good people – Mother Theresa, Mary MacKillop, Thomas Aquinas or ‘so-and-so’ at the club or in our family who we say is ‘such a saint’.

What do hear when you hear that word, ‘saint’? Do you immediately hear, “Not me. I am not smart enough, courageous enough, prayerful enough, loving enough – good enough”?

I reckon most Aussies might hear that. As a result, it seems that most people leave being a ‘saint’ out of their day. If being a ‘saint’ is all about being good, smart, super-human in good behaviour and ethics and wise decisions an etc, then that is just too much and out of reach.

Problem is, we want that goodness, intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and especially love. We are human!

So, if sainthood with God is too much, we might find our ‘sainthood’ or ‘goodness’ in other more attainable ways with more ‘doable’ things.

For example, Leanne I went to the ‘Hallowed turf’ of the Home of Cricket while in London a while back. We went to Lord’s. We entered the holy space called ‘the Long Room’ and saw all the mahogany boards with the ‘greats of the game’ written on them; some greats even ‘immortalised’ in their portraits painted large on the walls.

I have played cricket. I like the game. I am not one of the greats, but I can play the game at least. These ‘greats’ are more attainable, accessible – more like me…

Same could be said for going to MCG for the footy fan or Flemington for the Racing fan or Lang Park for the Rugby League fan.

Same could be said for the alternative ‘Saints’ story unfortunately growing in place in Australia – the alternative to the original ‘All Hallows Eve’ worship service held the night before ‘All Saints Day’ liturgy, now morphed into “Halloween”. Not sure why the ‘greats’, or ‘saints’ of this event are unholy occultic figures like goblins and witches and ghosts.

Whatever your ‘holy grail’ is, be it greatness in sport, intellect, a perfect season, philosophy, education, chess, art or just ‘being a saint’ in life, there you will find your will find your ‘saints’ – your ‘holy ones – the people who rose above and earned their place in the hall of fame and are now called ‘masters of the sport’ or ‘captain of the industry’ or ‘diva’ or ‘sir knight’ or whatever the appropriate name is in that story…

What is your holy grail and who are your saints? Are you a saint in anything? Is your name on the mahogany board somewhere or are you striving for it to be? I mean, we would all like to be remembered by someone…..

Hear today fellow believer in Christ, our place; our life is already known, understood and heading to full and memorable life, and not at all because we achieved it or can.

Our Holy Grail is not what we won or achieved or worked out or stumbled over. Our Holy Grail is a person; a person who was given to us.

Our holy grail is not an achievement we did or are working for, it is a person who did all and enough work for us to be truly holy, set apart, special, loved, accepted, found and purposed. He has our names not on a wooden board, but in his book of life (Revelation 3:4b-5)

For us, the ‘greats’ of this human life; the ‘saints’: the ‘holy ones’, are not named that because they were good or smart or strong or wise or extra humble or extra prayerful. They are named that because they were named that by Someone else; we are saints because of WHO names us that and makes us great, holy, special, accepted, purposed …

He is the Holy One of Isreal, the Bright Morning Star, the Crucified and Resurrected Saviour, The Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, The Almighty God…. He names us and makes us saints.

So take the name today! Luther suggest we do:

And how can you be sure of your high title before a holy God?

And;

Saint you: “Marked with a seal” and “washed by the power of the Holy Spirit” – Yes. Baptism.

Or, in Lutheran speak:

So friends, this day for us is a moment in the year to remember whose we are and who we are as a result of this gracious naming and claiming of us and the sure hope it brings.

It is also, or course, a moment to remember and give thanks for who we have lost … at least for a little while, as they rest in the peace of the crucified and risen Jesus awaiting the great last resurrection day for all the saints of God.

In the meantime, we saints are also blessed, according to Jesus. In all the suffering, difficulty, weakness, loss and pain we experience, we are still blessed.

So, holy baptised and blessed person in Jesus, you can do a bit of boasting today as you do your remembering and thanking for any that we’ve lost.

Because,

We boast about the sainthood of those we have lost, and we thank God for our sainthood still.

Amen

MORE REFLECTION

🕊️ Sermon Summary: “Saint You” – All Saints Day

The sermon explores the meaning of sainthood from a personal and biblical perspective, challenging the common misconception that saints are only exceptionally good or spiritual people. Drawing from childhood memories in a Catholic school, the preacher reflects on how saints were once seen as unattainable figures—perfect, holy, and distant.

However, the message of Ephesians 1 reveals a different truth: sainthood is not earned by human effort but is a gift from God through Christ. Believers are “marked with a seal” and “included in Christ” through faith and baptism, not through personal merit. The sermon contrasts worldly “saints” (sports heroes, intellectuals, cultural icons) with the biblical understanding of saints—those named and claimed by God.

The preacher emphasizes that our identity as saints is rooted in God’s grace, not our achievements. Luther’s bold encouragement to “boast” in our sainthood is highlighted, not as arrogance, but as humility and thankfulness for what Christ has done.

The sermon closes with comfort and hope: remembering those who have died in Christ, celebrating our own sainthood, and trusting in the resurrection. Even in suffering, believers are blessed, as Jesus teaches in Luke 6:20–22.

🧠 Understanding Sainthood

1. How did you understand the word “saint” before hearing this sermon?
2. What does Ephesians 1:11–14 say about how we become saints?
3. How does baptism relate to our identity as saints?

❤️ Personal Reflection

1. Do you find it hard to see yourself as a saint? Why or why not?
2. What worldly “saints” or heroes do you admire? How do they compare to the biblical idea of sainthood?

🙏 Faith and Assurance

1. Luther said we should “boast” in our sainthood. What does that mean to you?
2. How does knowing you are “marked with a seal” by the Holy Spirit affect your daily life?

🌅 Hope and Remembrance

1. How does All Saints Day help you remember those who have died in Christ?
2. What comfort do you find in the promise of resurrection and eternal life?

🙏 Closing Prayer : Thanksgiving for Sainthood

Gracious God,
We thank You for naming us, claiming us, and sealing us with Your Holy Spirit.
On this All Saints Day, we rejoice that we are part of Your holy people—not by our own merit, but by Your mercy and grace.
Help us to live as Your saints: marked by love, filled with hope, and confident in Your promises.
May we remember those who have gone before us in faith, and look forward to the day when we will be reunited in Your eternal presence.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

🙏 Closing Prayer 2: Remembrance and Hope

Lord of Life and Resurrection,
Today we remember the saints who have gone before us—those we have loved and lost, who now rest in Your peace.
We thank You for their witness, their faith, and the hope they leave behind.
Strengthen us to walk in their footsteps, trusting in Your grace and living in Your love.
Keep our eyes fixed on the promise of resurrection and eternal life, where all Your saints will rejoice together.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

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