The Power of One

Holy Trinity Parish in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., recently inaugurated a  one-day operation called “The Power of One.” The goal was to engage as many parishioners as possible in various kinds of service in the community during one day. The “one” is not the one day or any one individual, but one community—a community working together for the good of the greater community. The power, of course, is rooted in the love God poured into their hearts to flow out into the world. 

Today’s feast celebrates the power of one that entered into the world through the dying and rising of Christ, and has been a presence in the world through all those who have been drawn into the one body of Christ through baptism.  It is the power that comes when men and women are poor in spirit, mourn the world’s sorrows, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, clean of heart, peacemakers, and withstand persecution for the sake of living in right relationship with God, others, and the world. They not only will receive heaven,  they bring it into the world during their lives. 

All Saints holds up a vision reminding us of our future when we will be fully joined with those who have gone before us, but with whom we are one even now in singing praise to our God, as we are reminded at every Eucharist. With them we cry:  “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” 

Consider/Discuss

• Have you known the power of belonging to a community doing good?
• Who are the saints who witnessed to you through their faith and now rest in the Lord? 

Responding to the Word

God and Father of all, thank you for the gift of your saints, especially those now forgotten men and women who embraced and incarnated the Beatitudes in their lives. May we join with them for all eternity to sing praise to your glory in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior.