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All Souls - 30th October 2022 

The First Hymn

Bible Reading

Luke 6: 20-31 (In the preaching of Jesus we find the key to God’s blessings.)

 

Looking at his disciples, he [Jesus] said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil,        because of the Son of Man. ‘Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.



‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. ‘But to you who are listening I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Thought for the Day

On some quiz shows they show us half a quotation, and they invite us to complete it. Suppose we did the same with the Beatitudes. ‘Complete the following sentences: Blessed are you who are poor…. Blessed are you who hunger now…. Blessed are you who weep now….’ In each case we would have to try and come up with something that will happen in the future to make amends for their misfortunes. 

Jesus hints that the future event that will put everything right is our arrival in heaven. This is a strange bit of teaching from Jesus because he was keen to see the Kingdom of God get established here and now. So, how do we reconcile these thoughts? I guess anyone who truly loves God would want to bring a bit of heaven to deserving people well before they die. In all cases the key to God’s blessing is to appreciate the correct timescale – one that straddles this life and the next. There are blessings to be had when we die, and there are blessings to be had in pursuing justice and compassion for others here and now because it’s a foretaste of what is to come. Time and eternity complement each other.

Let us Pray

As we remember the great Saints of history, we pray: Dear Father, We thank you for the communion of saints through which we are mysteriously united in Christ with those who have walked before us and with us in the faith. Although they now rest from their labours in your heavenly realm, we continually draw upon their indelible and living examples of excellence and holiness. We are grateful for the way they have shared their lives, struggles, faith, courage and acts of mercy during their lifetimes so that we might today live better lifetimes of joyful service to You in your kingdom. 

With them we pray in one accord, “Thy Kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Preserve the vivid lessons of their deeds of heroic trust, healing compassion and sacrificial love. Inspire our hearts to dare to follow in their fearless footsteps. Impart to us the heavenly perspective of eternity that they now enjoy. Help us to gaze steadily toward your face as they did before us, resisting evil and humbly depending on you to strengthen and preserve us in the days of testing. We make this prayer to you, the God of all nations, who calls us each to yourself that we might aspire to holiness and service in concert with the work of the saints of the ages. To you be the glory and praise and honor for all time to come. Amen. As we remember our own loved ones who have departed this life in the faith of Christ, we pray: Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; inspire within us the imitation of all that was good and noble in them; help us to honour their memory by living a life of faith and serving those around us with a godly compassion; grant us peace in our daily living until the day when you will unite us all in your eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

(Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.)
The Blessing

Christ, as a light illumine and guide you. Christ, as a shield overshadow you. Christ under you; Christ over you; Christ beside you on your left and your right. This day Christ be within and without you, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ be in the heart of each to whom you speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto you. Christ be your light; Christ be your shield; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.


Amen.

 The Second Hymn