I first fell in love with All Saints Day 2 years ago... A day to celebrate sainthood... what a glorious way to spend 24 hours... this year has me thinking though... How does one become a saint?
Fourteenth-century mystic Meister Eckhart said, “Do not think that saintliness comes from occupation; it depends rather on what one is. The kind of work we do does not make us holy, but we may make it holy.”
So according to Eckhart what you do does not make you a saint... but how you do it. Make work holy. What does that look like? I have a couple of ideas.
- Holy work looks like shaking off the criticism of your fellow man and concerning yourself with following Jesus.
- Holy work looks a lot like sacrifice and discomfort, but with purpose and a smile.
- Holy work looks like being humble enough to do menial jobs with joy.
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
Serve... serve those who need it... and those who don't... go the extra mile... be kind... smile... give up your share (seat, snack, lunch,) for someone who has not. Shine.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”― Mother Teresa
And then there is love... great love. Love which covers a multitude of sins and is patient and kind. Love makes work holy... love allows joy to rush in to the "dirty" jobs of life.
Oh the lofty status of being elevated to sainthood... truth be told there are perhaps more saints than we know... and I bet most saints don't know they are saints.
What saint might you celebrate today?
photo credit: Lawrence OP via photopin cc
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