“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” (Mark 16:6-7)

Every one of you is probably all too well acquainted with scars. So am I. I’ve been with families who have lost a parent, with those who have experienced a tragic accident, with those whose lives have been torn apart by fire or storm. 

“And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.” – Mark 1:12-13 (NRSVA)

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.’” - Luke 2:10-11 (NRSV) “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” Christmas is the season for good news of great joy. Our joy grows with love, and the degrees of love are also the degrees of joy. At the very start of our spiritual pilgrimage, our soul experienced the joys of discovering our new self and a new universe. 

I am the fruit of Ohio mission. I never thought of my own faith journey being related to Ohio. I grew up a Korean Methodist.

Dear Siblings in Christ, All Saints Sunday is an opportunity to give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith.