Scripture: Ephesians 1:11
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.

Thought for the Day: Many Christians celebrate “All Saints Day” today. This holiday coincides with the Hindu holiday “Diwali, ask ” and they have a very similar spiritual nature. For Christians, site this is a day to remember and celebrate (and continue to learn from) those in our faith whom we believe have attained a perfect communion with God. I think in Catholicism it’s called “Beatific Vision.”

Diwali [Click for Ravi Shankar Article] is a Hindu celebration of the “awareness of inner light,” a reference to a higher wisdom that, as Paul might put it, makes the glass through which all humans see a little less dark. When you get to the point where the glass is invisible, you are enlightened, one with the universe. Diwali is very similar to All Saints Day, as they both celebrate the enlightened ones in our faith traditions, and their communion with the eternal, no matter its name. And we might reflect here on why our Jewish ancestors refused to say the name of God. Which one do you use?

On this day I remember that these saints and enlightened ones we celebrate were once ordinary men and women, just like you and me. Through study to overcome intellectual barriers, through prayer and reflection to overcome spiritual darkness, and through penitence and compassion to overcome evil, they attained a higher awareness of the Infinite Truth, of God, in their lifetimes.

And they added a little more illumination to the entire world as well.

Prayer:
Make me humble enough to admit my ignorance,
eliminate the darkness from my mind
and renew my soul with your light,
God who is the universe,
who is my mind,
my body,
and my soul.
Amen.