Theme of the Day: It’s Time To Focus On The Future
Childbearing is excruciating. Yet each day countless women willingly become pregnant. They know that pain can be endured if it is temporary, with happier times coming immediately after. Likewise, the time between Christ’s first and second coming is full of hardship, especially for believers. How do we bear it? We remember that it is temporary. Happier times are coming!
That truth is crystal clear on All Saints’ Day. On this day we remember every saint who has gone before us. We have in mind all those who had faith in Jesus, both the heroes of faith in Scripture and all faithful Christian family members. They all endured hardship and pain. But no more. Now they enjoy perfect glory, peace, and joy. It’s the beginning of the end, and we endure by remembering all the saints, focusing on the future glory that awaits us.
Matthew 5:1-12
Revelation 7:9-17
1 John 3:1-3
Psalm 149A
887 – Oh, What Their Joy
880 – For All the Saints
883 – Behold a Host, Arrayed in White
890 – Jerusalem the Golden
881 – Sing with All the Saints in Glory
Prayer of the Day: Almighty God, you have knit your people together into one holy Church, the body of Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow the example of your blessed saints in lives of faith and willing service and with them at last inherit the inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those who love you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia. They are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple. Alleluia.