Apocalypse 7:2-4,9-14; Psalm 23(24):1-6; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a
How much are we affected by the world we live in?
Morality is stretched to allow us to indulge in what we fancy, and glorious feasts like All Saints, and All Souls tomorrow, are venered over with 'harmless fun' But these ghosts, wholes and long legged beasties which we love to scare ourselves with, are but a pastiche of ancient pagan rituals (rituals older than Christianity itself) which attempt to make attractive the ability to save oneself at the expense of others.
We are Christians - and we know that Christ has already saved us. We do not need to appease the devil and other evil spirits to leave us alone, or to protect us. Christ has done all that. Celebrate All Saints by saying a prayer for all those who knock at your door - perhaps not while they are there! And do give them a treat, they are only trying to have fun.
We are Christians, and heaven is full of countless numbers who have died and gone before us, welcomed by Christ into his Kingdom. They are the Saints, and we are each called to join their number.