“Campo Santos”

     In New Mexico cemeteries are often called “Campo Santos,” translated to mean, “holy field,” but also translated as “camp of saints.” I like this designation. I like the thought of saints camped together, gathered in one place doing saintly things. It puts me in mind of the Biblical reference to heroes of the faith as “cloud of witnesses.” That reference comes in a letter written to some disillusioned converts. It was meant to encourage them by acknowledging that heroes of the faith, saints, are standing around them, cheering them on, watching and supporting them. If we read the passage to speak to us, it offers the same manner of encouragement. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

     I have to admit that when I first learned this passage or thought about this cloud of witnesses surrounding me, I didn’t find it very comforting. I found it a little daunting. It was a bit disconcerting to think that Moses and Abraham, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., and my grandmothers were watching me as I tried to get it right and failing miserably. I figured I’d rather not have that kind of pressure. Now, however, I understand that the saints and witnesses are not watching to judge us or criticize us or even compare us to themselves or to others. Rather, they are watching to cheer us, surround us in positive, hopeful energy.

     It’s like having your best friend standing nearby all the time, the person in your life who always wants you to do well, be happy, know love, the one who never really seems to notice the ugly parts of your personality, the friend who can overlook any flaw. It’s a gathering of heroes who know all about you and always sees the best in you, always counts your good intentions and your honorable desires. It’s like a gathering of all the proud moms and dads at high school graduations and it’s all that fabulous energy you find at recitals and young children’s sporting events. Everybody just wants all of the players to do their best and have fun; they just want to share in delight and watch the proud accomplishments of the participants.

     It’s the same way I feel as I watch the eight year old acolyte trying to light the candles in worship. I watch her...I want her...I sit on the edge of my seat to will her...to be able to light those candles. And if the flame goes out or if she can’t reach the tallest candle, somebody will quickly jump to her aid; we so desperately want her to bring us the light. That’s the way our cloud of witnesses surrounds us, not in judgment but in hopeful anticipation of success.

Campos Santos, that is what it’s like to have those we love who have transitioned on to the next world surrounding us. A camp of saints cheering us on through life, watching us...wanting us...sitting on the edge of their chairs...willing us, to bring the light of love into the world.

You are the light of the world. 

Yours,

Lynne