 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Friday, October 28, 2022 The Third day: All Souls, or, All the Faithful Departed, November 2 Why two different names? Frankly, that’s a mystery to me, too. All Souls is an older, and more inclusive name, because it encourages remembrance of, and payers for, all who have died – “faithful”, Christian, or not. And for most of us, there are beloved persons, friends, relatives, many of whom are non-Christians, and even the whole number of those who have died in war, from gun violence and domestic abuse from COVID and other diseases that we want to remember with love and to deliberately place into the hands of God who loves them all. And if those who have died are truly among the “faithful departed,” then we remember and celebrate them on All Saints’ Day anyway! But the intent, by either name, is to remember those who have died, who might be a lot like we know ourselves to be – both faithful and unfaithful, holy and not so holy – a blessing to others and yet a bane to some. We are complicated creatures, and fickle, too.We love the Gospel except when it touches too close to our own prejudices, fears, resistances, and unforgivenesses. And this, of course, is why we depend on grace – on God, to finally make us who we were created to be. And so we remember them. We mourn their loss to us in this world. We pray that God’s love will envelop and sustain and fulfil in each of them the whole glorious intention of God.  This is a good weekend to visit either of the local cemeteries; our children need to understand that while death is real, it is also not the end – In fact, it is a good time to celebrate the lives of those whom we remember, and to notice the ways their influence, and their presence, remains with us. In Remembrance Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer: Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved, the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have the strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. And this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.   From our own congregation, Lowell Korber and Barbara Chapman have died during this past year. Several of us have also lost family members and friends. Rest eternal grant to them O Lord; And let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.   |
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