Unconventional Saints

All Saints + November 6, 2022 + Pr. Michelle Sevig

Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints is a book I was introduced to earlier this year through a targeted Facebook ad. Not sure if it was the “troublemaker” or the “saint” part of the title that made the social media algorithm think this was a good book for me, but nonetheless the title grabbed my attention. Just what is a “Holy Troublemaker?” My curiosity was piqued. 

Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints tells the stories of people of diverse faiths working for more love and justice in their corners of the world, even when that means rocking the religious boat. 

Some of the people featured in this book are well known, like the beloved St. Francis of Assisi, who gave up a wealthy inheritance to serve the poor. Some are well known, but the deep faith motivating their work is lesser known, such as Harriet Tubman, Florence Nightingale, and Mr. Rogers. Others are less known such as Bayard Rustin, an American Quaker whose role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s is often downplayed because he was a gay man or Wangari Mathai a biologist and activist who won a Noble Peace prize for her civil disobedience by planting trees in her homeland Kenya. All of the stories in the book tell of people who are too often excluded from the religious narrative, not recognized for their holy work moving all toward more love and faith that works for the common good.  

Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints–a day for remembering and honoring those who have died; not only those who are officially recognized as saints, but any of the faithful who have gone before us and now rest in God. In the New Testament, all those who believed and were baptized were referred to as saints. For instance in the reading from Ephesians today Paul writes, “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,” meaning all those in the community who are followers of Jesus. 

There are two saints in this community of faith who died this past year whose lives and witness may never be recorded in a book of holy troublemakers and saints, though they certainly made an impact on the lives of those who surrounded them. Leon and Kathryn in recent years sat right in the middle of the congregation in the spaces cut out of the pews for those who use wheelchairs. And troublemakers and saints they were. 

Today I remember and give thanks to God for the life and witness of Leon Stevens. Leon was always willing to lend a hand, serve faithfully, and give without restraint.  He was a truly caring soul who with a simple compliment or just a smile showed God’s presence and love through him. Leon made serving in the church fun whether it be painting the church, working in the garden, or helping to set up the Easter Vigil, he delighted in the presence of God that he experienced through interaction with God’s people.

I remember and give thanks to God for the life and witness of Kathryn Vigen. Kathryn was a strong, independent, persistent force who delighted in being present with other people. As a single mom in the 70s, she earned her PhD in nursing; and she sought out and watched out for those who were on the margins, the ones who didn’t have a place at the decision making tables, especially the women. She loved God and loved the people of God in this faith community without restraint. 

I also remember and give thanks today for the life and witness of Heidi Hagstrom, my good friend, and my son Peder’s godmother, who died a year ago this month. She was an ideal godparent, always pointing Peder to the good gifts of God’s love and grace; reminding him, and us, that he is part of the great communion of saints–those baptized and beloved of God. And she sparked a bit of holy trouble now and then too when she advocated for and stood with the marginalized, especially the LGBTQ community. 

Who are the holy troublemakers and unconventional saints you remember and give thanks for today? Many among us have said goodbye to loved ones this past year– parents and grandparents, friends and co-workers whose photos are new additions to our candlelit tables and whose names are recorded for the first time in our book of remembrance. And many of our faithful departed we honor today have been part of the communion of saints for a while. 

For on this feast of All Saints we recognize the gifts of all the faithful, not just the ones whose image is revealed on an icon or who have their own feast days. We gather this day to give thanks to God for the saints, both living and departed. We bring photos and light candles to remember especially those we love who now live in the nearer presence of God. We sing, “For all the saints who from their labors rest.” We join the sacred names of our own beloved dead with saints of every time and place, and we too are gathered, healed, and re-membered (put back together) into God’s loving relationship with all creation, past, present, and yet to come.

Today as I pray and give thanks for the saints of God, I’m praying for all of you, the holy ones among us now. You, who are not robed in royal clothes or wearing a glowing halo. You who are struggling to find hope and healing. You who can name your blessings easily and you who can more easily list your woes. You are the holy and beloved ones of God. 

And believe me, I know, it doesn’t always feel like a “saintly” life. There is struggle. Martin Luther, in the middle of his reforms said that where there is faith, there is always struggle. And for this struggling saint, that’s good news. Doubt, feeling overwhelmed, wondering if God is present or even exists, are the marks of every saint, including Kathryn and Leon, my friend Pastor Heidi and quite likely the saints on your heart today as well. When we feel our most low, and wonder if we’ve lost our faith, God names us as the most faithful. Blessed are those who struggle.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus declares a blessing that was not only for those who were listening at the time, but for us as well. Jesus blesses all kinds of people, especially those who we don’t normally think of as blessed: the poor, the hungry, those who weep. While the world may give them little regard, Jesus calls them blessed—blessed now, not that one day they will be blessed. Because God’s blessing isn’t like a flu shot. Blessing isn’t an immunization that keeps us from pain or loss, and it’s not a guarantee of safe passage through this life. Rather, it’s a sense of fullness, contentment and peace in the presence of God.

This morning, surrounded by photos of our dearly departed who were also blessed in this life, we remember that God sees us. The Holy One knows the losses and struggles that weigh us down. The exhaustion from caring for others. The disappointments at home, work or school. The worry about a loved one who is ill or preparing to die. God sees us and honors us. God blesses us and accompanies us. 

Together with all the saints of every time and every place we come together at this table to share in a feast that knows no boundaries of time and space. Gathered with us in memory and feasting in the presence of God are a whole host of holy troublemakers and unconventional saints, like Kathryn and Leon, and other beloved members of Holy Trinity including Elvina and Judy; Claire, Joyce and Jim; Louise, Norm and Richard. 

And your beloved holy ones too. All of them. All of us. Saints—claimed by God’s loving embrace and promise, to never let us go.