All Hallow's Eve: the Sacred and the Mundane

I am a priest and a dad.  I am also a Christian in the Episcopal tradition and an American.  My life is a mixture of the great ideals and practices of faith alongside the reality of living in a culture that is not explicitly religious or pious.  Sometimes, this mixture feels creative and balanced, sometime strange and out of sync.  I really enjoy the balance my life needs, even when I am so aware of not getting the balance right. 

The liturgical calendar tells me that November 1 is All Saints' Day.  As a priest, I am reading ancient prayers that mention the communion of saints, "ineffable joys," and the mystical body of Christ that encompasses both the living and the dead.  The American calendar tells me that it is Halloween on October 31, and we are busy at home finding costumes for the children, laughing at what they look like in these costumes, and looking ahead to a lively Halloween party for adults and children. 

I love this season's strange mixture of sacred and profane, liturgy and culture.  "Halloween" comes from "All Hallow's Eve," an old English phrase designating the eve of All Saints' day.  "Hallow" means "holy."  I know Halloween can feel far from holy, but in my mind and heart there is a subtle connection between the laughter and mystery of Halloween and the beauty and mystery of All Saints.  Deep down, I need to trust in a God who made everything and everybody.  Deep down, I need to trust that God made and cares for all of life - the sacred and the profane.  Deep down, I long to know that God cares for us all - saints and sinners and everyone in between. 

Happy Halloween!  And God's blessing on us and our loved ones on All Saints.