As we enter the final weeks of the Season After Pentecost, the appointed scripture readings direct our attention to what is commonly known as the “last things”. Beginning with the great Feast of All Saints on November 1st, and continuing on through the Feast of Christ the King, the Last Sunday After Pentecost, especially in the Gospel readings the themes for each Sunday take on a more apocalyptic (meaning ‘revealing’) tone. Christ Jesus speaks of the end times in seemingly dire terms, leading us to a deeper understanding of the full outline of the Reign of God to come.
And as you may remember, the dawn of a new Church Year on Advent Sunday doesn’t bring much of a change in tone as the weekly readings encourage us to begin the new cycle with our eyes fixed on the desired end, however cataclysmic it may sound.
But I must admit how absolutely grateful I am that this journey into the “last things” begins with All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Each of these days brings an opportunity to reclaim and renew our membership in the Communion of Saints both here on earth (the Church Militant we used to call it) and in the glorious life of resurrection in heaven (the Church Triumphant). Just as we do in our lifetime, the Saints in Light all knew the struggle, the pain, the stress and suffering of human existence. Yet by the Grace of God, they have passed through the gate of death and live in the fullness of God’s Love.
Perhaps you, like me, need the yearly reminder that we do not walk this journey of life alone. Instead, through the energizing and comforting work of the Holy Spirit we remain connected with those who have gone before, both known and unknown, whose love, devotion, and prayer continue to enfold and surround us. It is good to remember their witness and care as we open the morning paper or however it is we hear about the horrors of our own collective making causing suffering and death among the children of God the world over. May the peace of God reign in our hearts and lives that Holy Love may finally and fully triumph. Amen