Scriptural Basis
John 5:24-27 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
In the Book of Common Prayer on page 862 of the Catechism or Outline of the Faith we read the following.
Those who die are never too far away. The memory of who they were while they lived still lingers in our hearts and minds. We remember what they did. We remember with fondness the many times we spent time with them, or wished we had spent even more. We may not see their bodies anymore. We do not see them or talk with them. We are not able to visit with them per say. But, every time we remember them, some how they are present with us.
When I think of Fr. Tetrault and how he told me to love as God created me to love, and do what I can to help someone, Fr. Tetrault is with me.
When I make a pasta sauce or bran muffins made with Kellogs All-Bran and raisins, my Great Aunt Clara suddenly feels closer to me.
Sometimes when I remember a joke that I laughed at, or a song my Dad used to sing in his pick-up truck, I remember him.
When I make Thanksgiving Dinner, I remember my grandmother and all the great times we had.
We pray for those who have died because we loved them. Our love for them does not stop at death. God's love for them and us does not stop at death.
In the Roman Missal, the Preface Prayer before the Holy, Holy, Holy is sung we read the words:
Christians believe that death is not an ending, but a transition. The best is yet to come. The love never stops.
Today, we take time to remember those who have gone before us. We remember them and we pray for them, that God who is gracious and merciful has received them unto God's Self. We wait in hope, not despair for the day when we will all be reunited with God and all whom we love because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Among the greatest accomplishments of Jesus Christ in his life on earth was that he put a face on those who had died. When I read the narrative of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus in John 11: 17 to 44 the greatest miracle of all was that God put a face and a name on those who died. God made sure that we knew that in death God does not forget us. God's love and power are not conditional by death, sexual orientation or any other means.
May all of us be comforted by the hope that God gives us. May we remember those who have died with fondness so that they are never far from us. May we do all we can to spread the good news that in God there is life, peace, eternal happiness and love unlike any other.
Prayers
John 5:24-27 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.
"Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. "
Blog Reflection
In the Book of Common Prayer on page 862 of the Catechism or Outline of the Faith we read the following.
Q. Why do we pray for the dead?
A. We pray for them, because we still hold them in our love, and because we trust in God's presence those who have chosen to serve him will grow in his love, until they see him as he is.
Those who die are never too far away. The memory of who they were while they lived still lingers in our hearts and minds. We remember what they did. We remember with fondness the many times we spent time with them, or wished we had spent even more. We may not see their bodies anymore. We do not see them or talk with them. We are not able to visit with them per say. But, every time we remember them, some how they are present with us.
When I think of Fr. Tetrault and how he told me to love as God created me to love, and do what I can to help someone, Fr. Tetrault is with me.
When I make a pasta sauce or bran muffins made with Kellogs All-Bran and raisins, my Great Aunt Clara suddenly feels closer to me.
Sometimes when I remember a joke that I laughed at, or a song my Dad used to sing in his pick-up truck, I remember him.
When I make Thanksgiving Dinner, I remember my grandmother and all the great times we had.
We pray for those who have died because we loved them. Our love for them does not stop at death. God's love for them and us does not stop at death.
In the Roman Missal, the Preface Prayer before the Holy, Holy, Holy is sung we read the words:
Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended.
When the body of our earthly dwelling lies ind death
we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.
(Sacramentary, Catholic Publishing Company, Page 527).
Christians believe that death is not an ending, but a transition. The best is yet to come. The love never stops.
Today, we take time to remember those who have gone before us. We remember them and we pray for them, that God who is gracious and merciful has received them unto God's Self. We wait in hope, not despair for the day when we will all be reunited with God and all whom we love because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Among the greatest accomplishments of Jesus Christ in his life on earth was that he put a face on those who had died. When I read the narrative of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus in John 11: 17 to 44 the greatest miracle of all was that God put a face and a name on those who died. God made sure that we knew that in death God does not forget us. God's love and power are not conditional by death, sexual orientation or any other means.
May all of us be comforted by the hope that God gives us. May we remember those who have died with fondness so that they are never far from us. May we do all we can to spread the good news that in God there is life, peace, eternal happiness and love unlike any other.
Prayers
O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Holy Men, Holy Women, Celebrating the Saints, page 659).
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 831).
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