Jason Locke's Blog

November 1 is All Saints Day (or All Hallows Day). The Day of the Dead is a similar holiday celebrated in Mexico at this same time. These traditions were completely foreign to me for much of my life. I grew up on an "island of Christianity" known as Churches of Christ. It was a great space for developing my faith and character. People poured so much into me, and I felt acceptance, trust, and belonging in that space. I love what the church has provided for my life. In the 1990s, many of us discovered the mainland of Christianity. I always knew it was there, but I had learned to consider it dangerous territory not worthy of exploring. That's how sectarianism survives: taking good care of you on the island while scaring you about anything off the island.  I had the chance to increasingly explore the world of Christianity outside my protected upbringing. To my amazement, I discovered rich and vibrant faith. Yes, I also saw challenges and weaknesses, but who is ...

November 1 is a day for remembering those who have died in the Lord. It may mean little to you if you don't have much involvement with Catholics, Anglicans and other high-church traditions. Yet for many believers around the world, this is a solemn occasion for decorating gravestones and reflecting upon loved ones. Malmi Cemetery in Helsinki Catholic terminology can lead some to believe that only a select few Christians get to be saints. The Bible teaches that all baptized individuals are now with God and therefore saints. The Roman Catholic Church in fact supports this vantage point. No one knows exactly how or why churches started celebrating a day of remembrance for the dead. There are various references to such occasions starting in the 4th century. Pope Boniface IV gathered the bones of martyrs from the Roman catacombs and re-entombed them beneath the Pantheon. In so doing, he dedicated a time to remember all the saints. This was in May, not November. The practice as we...