Many months ago, we had our new kitchen. Our old cooker was taken out to the garage where she has stood alone, covered, inactive. We had lots of ideas as to what could happen to her…
Yesterday we took her up to the dump. She joined other cookers, washing machines and fridges with whom she can share her life’s experiences. At least she won’t be lonely any more.
Late Sunday evening grandson-Luca announced that he was supposed to ‘make something out of a vegetable’.
It was an early start on Monday morning. Daughter-Jo had an idea – but action was required. Jo and Luca worked together… Luca took his carved carrot to school.
This morning I read St Paul’s phrase ‘Faith expressing itself through love’… I’ve known many people with faith – lots of ideas, but it isn’t expressed in loving actions. I’ve known many people who are actively generous, kind and compassionate, but it isn’t motivated by faith….
Yesterday was Halloween. Each year I’m been fascinated by the attitudes of Christian folks to it:
‘Avoid it – it’s evil…’
‘Enjoy a bit of harmless fun…’
‘Celebrate light instead of darkness…’
‘Ignore it…’
Some emphasise convictions, ideas of faith, others focus on fun and loving actions…
Yesterday our church friend Hayley posted: ’We don’t really celebrate Halloween but we respect those that do. This year Caleb had lots of fun creating his “goofy” pumpkins to leave goodies for those that do celebrate.
Just because we don’t believe in it, I try to remind Caleb we can still be kind to those that do.’
Hayley’s doing a good job of showing both her faith, and her love for, her God, Caleb and the children in her neighbourhood.
Today is ‘All Saints Day’ when Christians remember saints who are no longer with us. I shall remember with gratitude those ‘saints’ who’ve had a lasting impact on my life. Their faith wasn’t just a nice idea; it expressed itself in an active love that I experienced.
malcolmsmusings.org 
I have often wondered how Christians felt about Halloween as it seems to belittle All Saints Day. I felt I needed more information and discovered that Halloween originated with an old Celtic festival, Samhain.
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain
Pope Gregory III appears to have adopted it in the eighth century. Probably in an attempt to gain the heathen masses. Just as Constantine did with his assertions of seeing the cross in the sky. Of course, Eusebius, a friend, was his only witness.
I have read that, according to Islamic teaching, the celebration of Halloween would be seen as a form of idolatry.
I personally have nothing to do with Halloween as I don’t need the Americans to tell me when to have fun. But, welcome anything that cheers people up in these depressing days.
I’ve just remembered Guy Fawkes Night is this week. That’s another evening with the curtains closed, the lights out and the TV off. Only joking, we’re too far away from others to need to hide.
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Thanks, Alan. It’s good to hear from you. I’ve certainly read about the Celtic festival. I had a feeling its origin might have been even older. As is often the case these feasts were then hijacked by Christians, which then, of course, became something they could disagree and argue about.
The American influence on Halloween is another matter. As for Guy Fawkes, I guess that’s another religious-political story… with the controversial topic of whether we should blow up parliament!
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Faith expressing itself as love. You’ve captured the action so well. And that is a great carrot carving!
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Thanks Wynne. I’m increasingly persuaded that faith isn’t restricted to the confines of the mind or the church, but is lived out in the action of daily life… and the carrot carving is certainly a lot better than I could do!!
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