Psalm 115

Background

The Methodist Church is not known for its observance of saints’ days in the same way as friends in other denominations mark them. That said, we do well to note Saint Paul’s observation in our Bible reading today that God’s beloved are “called to be saints”. (v. 7)

I am fascinated by the lives of those venerated formally by the Christian communion as ‘saints’. Their lives and testimonies to Christ are often awe-inspiring and challenging. However, this is not the kind of saint Paul means here.

There is no special category of saint in Paul’s mind when writing to the Christian folk in Rome. All Christian people are loved by God and called to be saints. God’s love precedes God’s call and God does not demand that human beings do certain things to earn God’s love. Rather, God loves every individual, and it is through God’s love that men and women are enabled and inspired to love others. The word ‘saint’ comes from the Greek and means ‘to be set apart’ or ‘holy’. Someone is not a saint because of any personal merit, but because of God’s love for them and the call to follow God’s ways.

All of us are called to live lives of loving service rooted in our experience and knowledge of the love of God. We are all ‘called to be saints’.

I note, though, that Butler’s Lives of the Saints recognises 9 April as the day on which St Waldetrudis (a French woman who died in AD 688) is remembered. She is noted for her works of mercy. We would all do well to be inspired by those whose lives shine with the things of God’s love and grace as witnesses for Christ.

When all is said and done, the work of a saint is to reflect the ways of Jesus and enable others to find faith in him. As the singer-songwriter Matt Redman puts it: “It’s all about you, Jesus.”

To Ponder:

• What does it mean for me to be a saint?
• How can my life reflect the things of God in a sensitive and sensible way?
• Listen to ‘When the music fades’.

Prayer

Lord, for all the saints who show your love in how they live and where they move, for mindful women and caring men, accept our gratitude. Amen. (Based on a ‘Wild Goose’ publications prayer)

Bible notes author: The Revd Andy Fyall
Andy Fyall is Chair of the Nottingham & Derby District with oversight of New Places for New People. He is married to Helen, also a Methodist minister, and is dad to Hannah and Matthew. He served in the Cardiff and Nottingham (South) and Stamford Circuits, before returning to Nottingham in 2022. In his spare time Andy enjoys spending time with his family as well as walking, cycling, cooking and choral singing.