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All Saints Day is more than a time to remember those who have passed. It celebrates the connection we still share with them that is very much alive. In Christ, the saints aren’t just memories; they remain part of an eternal communion that includes us. We stand surrounded by their faith and by God's enduring love. God binds us all together through love and care, across time and space.

Yet, remembering the saints often brings us face-to-face with grief. Loss can feel overwhelming, like a weight we carry long after the world moves on. Commemorating All Saints reminds us of our deep connection with those who have died, but it doesn’t erase the pain of loss. Faith steps into that silence, reminding us that God's care extends beyond time and death. Even in our most painful moments, when we feel most alone, God's presence remains with us.

In 1 Kings 17, grief permeates the landscape, yet God shows up to provide for the prophet Elijah in unexpected ways. Instead of sending Elijah to the powerful, God sends him to a widow—a woman society overlooks. She’s preparing a final meal for herself and her son, yet through her, God miraculously sustains both her family and Elijah. When her son later dies, Elijah prays, and God raises him from the dead. This story upends how we often assume the world works. Those on the margins, who the world often ignores, carry great blessings in God’s eyes.

This widow reminds us of the voices often overlooked today—the marginalized, the excluded, the invisible. In our world of the haves and the have nots, we understand just how fragile life is and how many people fall through the cracks. God’s care often flows through those the world overlooks. Our challenge is to open our eyes, release our biases, and embrace a vision of community that truly includes everyone, especially those struggling the most.

As we honor the saints, we must also reflect on our own lives. Who have we excluded from our care, intentionally or not? Faith calls us to create spaces where everyone is seen and valued. The saints challenge us to live out inclusivity, reflecting the boundless love of God, where no one is forgotten.

Faith pulls us into the heart of community, reminding us that God's care knows no limits. This week, we honor the saints, both those who have died and those who are living. In that cloud of witnesses dwells those of infinite different backgrounds, circumstances, and experiences held together by God’s care and compassion.

Amen.