1 Corinthians 1:2 (CEB)

To God’s church that is in Corinth:

To those who have been made holy to God in Christ Jesus, who are called to be God’s people.

Together with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place—he’s their Lord and ours!


Reflection

I’m a fan of Paul’s elaborate, formal greetings.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, today’s text is from the middle of his greeting. Alternate translations read: “…to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…” (NRSV). I love this idea, comparing the two, of being called to be God’s people as saints. In fact, the “sanctified” and the “saints” parts are actually the same root word in Greek. In both cases, it means “to make holy”, and this is particularly a holiness in service to God.

This week, as we reflect on those we’ve lost for All Saints Sunday, we think about the many ways that those before us, in their own callings and blessings from God, bore witness to who God is. They showed us another facet in God’s beautiful and vast diversity.

We reflect on their calling “to make holy” and how that is work we continue today. Their love for God, and immense importance in the world lives on through the ways we share the love of Christ.

Paul goes on from this greeting to give thanks. He gives thanks for the many ways God works in people here and now. He gives thanks for the gifts God gives us to be God’s hands and feet here on earth until we join the saints before us.

By Rachel Callender


For Pondering & Prayer

Think of someone who has joined Christ in eternal life who has had a big impact on your faith. What was it about them that inspired you? Where did you see God working through them? What can you do today to honor them and share that with others?

Prayer: Eternal Lord, we lift up prayers to you for those people you have placed in our lives that have brought us closer to you. We pray that in our grief, we see their lives and love as a source of hope from you. Amen.