THOUGHT for the week

Hallowe’en – part of the autumn ritual, but what’s it about? Trick or treat? Scary stories? Spooks and witches on broomsticks?

Hallowe’en, October 31, comes from the original term ‘All Hallows’ Eve’, like Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas. Because November 1 was originally called ‘All Hallows’ Day’, the date when saints were hallowed, or honoured, and All Hallows’ Eve the day when people celebrated the triumph of good over evil.

Now All Hallows’ Day is more commonly known as All Saints’ Day, followed on November 2 by All Souls’ Day. Saints with a capital ‘S’ are those notable Christians throughout history who have been recognised as outstanding. For example our local St Columba, and St Benedict, St Augustine, and very recently, Oscar Romero.

‘All Souls’, who are remembered on November 2, are everyone else – ordinary human beings who never made history. The early church made no such distinction.

Paul’s New Testament letter to the Philippians begins: ‘To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi’, and similar references to saints is to be found in other letters. We often say ‘Oh, I’m no saint’, and we speak of people who have helped us along the way as ‘saints’.

Yet the Bible assures us that all of us who falteringly try to follow Jesus are, in God’s eyes ‘saints’ – everyday saints. Now there’s a thought to comfort us when we stumble, and to inspire us to become just a little bit more like those great and famous names from the past, or the good folk we meet or hear about every day.

So at this season of All Saints, or All Hallows, let us remember with thanksgiving both the great names and the unsung heroes, past and present, and recognise the God given potential within each one of us.