A sense of belonging
All Saint's Day
Breathing air of all the saints. Belonging.
These words, spoken by a friend, continue to ring in my ears on this All Saints Day.
Belonging. This word can stir up many feelings. It can bring comfort to some and isolation to others. Be it family, school, city, faith community, nation, or race, most people have a sense of where they belong or where they do not belong.
Belonging has proved its power time and again throughout history. It has planted the flags of countries that have fought for borders and stoked the fire of anger among races and creeds. It has created communities brave enough to swim against the stream of oppression, giving people meaning and purpose to their lives and opening doors to welcome the weary of body and soul.
Belonging is a two-sided word. On one side, it has created centuries of war and conflict as defiance; on the other, it has opened the arms and hearts of people throughout the ages, welcoming the needy and exiled with compassion.
Yet, belonging rises above these human struggles and passions on a day such as All Saints. For a moment, "all-that-is" takes a deep breath of gratitude. Our memories are flooded with the beloved who have gone before us -- and, for a moment, we feel their imprint in the world and our lives.
It is a good thing we are gifted with a day that slows us enough for our senses to move beyond the distractions of everyday life. It is a day when we can join in communion with all the saints, celebrating what "was and is and is to come.”
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