The end of this month there is a special day that you may not thought a lot about and it’s not Halloween. October 31st is Reformation Day! This was the day in 1517 that Martin Luther, a Catholic Archbishop, nailed a list of 95 things that he wanted to see reformed in the church to the door of All Saints Church so that everyone who attended the All Saints Day Mass the next morning would see and read his arguments.

This act, along with several other events throughout Europe, sparked what we know as the Protestant Reformation. To be fair, Martin Luther’s intention was to reform the Catholic church, not to create a rift and a new branch of Christianity. He believed that it was possible to reform what was then the universal church. Unfortunately, he was excommunicated before that reform came. But it did come to the Catholic church, as well as the catholic church (the universal church that all believers are part of). Our Presbyterian denomination was one of several that came out of this reformation, thus the reference to being a “Reformed” tradition.

This significant day precedes another important church holiday: All Saints Day, where we remember those believers who have gone before us, like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox (who started the Presbyterian church in Scotland). Hebrews 12 reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, which should encourage us to run the race of life with perseverance. They can give us the perspective we need to throw off everything that hinders us from running that race well. Their stories remind us that we run to and for Jesus with joy, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. 

This season of just a few days comes in the middle of ordinary time, which is the time of growing a practicing all of the things we celebrate at the “high holy days” as Godly Play calls them or Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. It comes as fall is settling in, which is nature’s way of reminding us of our mortality. Remembering the saints who have gone before us reminds us all “Mememto mori! Remember you will die.” It’s sobering, but it helps us to run the race more faithfully when we have that perspective. Perhaps there is a mature believer in your own life who has gone on to be with Jesus that you can remember and be inspired by.

This month, there are several things you can do to celebrate Reformation Day or All Saints Day taken from Sacred Seasons by Danielle Hitchen:

• Have or make donuts – Donuts were originally soul cakes, eaten on All Saints Day. Eventually people started cutting holes in the middle of the soul cake, as the circle symbolized eternity. People were intended to meditate on their eternal souls as they enjoyed their donuts.
• Carve a pumpkin –
  • • As you carve the pumpkin you can say: Blessed are you, O King of the universe, who brings forth pumpkins from the earth to sustain our bodies and gladden our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    • As you clean out the seeds you can say: Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
    • As you place a candle inside: O Lord, we thank you that you have seen us and known us, sought us and bought us, and cleaned us of all unrighteousness. Grant us grace to be bearers of your light that we may illuminate the dark places and draw others to your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
• Have a feast – All Saints Day (Nov 1st) is supposed to be a glorious feast to celebrate at home. It reminds us that those who have gone before us sit at the Father’s table that overflows with bounty. Make a fancy meal, whatever that means to your family. Remind your family that in the new heaven and the new earth there will be a banquet that never ends.
• Dress like a Saint – If you’re dressing up for Halloween, consider dressing as your favorite saint. 
• Tell stories of the Saints – “Saint” is just another word for a faithful believer. Some Saints are formally recognized and canonized. Others may be someone you know. Some saints’ stories are recorded in books about martyrs and some are only recorded in memory. Some saints are already with Jesus, and others are right here with us. Spend some time this month telling the stories of the saints, both historical ones, and those you know personally. Consider inviting some of our senior members at church to lunch and ask them to share their faith stories.