All Saints' Day and Election Season

As I ran through my neighborhood this morning, past sign after sign, I thought of what my grandparents might have said about these campaigns. I can picture my grandfather, waxing poetic, his grumbling interlaced with choice swear words for all parties. I can see my grandmother smiling and gently shaking her fork at him. I started thinking not just about the election season, but about the church calendar that’s propelling us toward All Saints’ Day. Recognized on the day after Halloween (or All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve), it celebrates the connection between the saints in heaven and the saints on earth. I’m reminded of the way one of my former pastors started sermons; he’d shout “Good morning, saints!” pause, and add “Good morning, sinners!” We, the congregation, responded to both.