Sunday, November 2, 2014

All Saints - Yesterday 1 November 2014


Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ, 

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
 Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
 1 John 3:1-3
 Matthew 5:1-12a




Yesterday we honoured the saints who have gone before us. The readings for this occasion are totally awesome, enough to keep one motivated for a lifetime. For instance, St. John says, "See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called children of God."
(1 John 3:1)

 We are told elsewhere in scripture that "we are strangers and aliens no longer. No, we are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God."
(Ephesians 2:19)

 Internalizing the gospel, realizing that we are made in His own image, that we are, in fact, children of God, empowers us to reach out to others. We cannot expect that we will be known by those in the world, since Christ Himself was not known for some time by His apostles, who had been with Him. As we turn, especially today, to the saints, and perhaps our favorite saints, we have the assurance of who we are and what lies ahead for us if we are faithful and pure, and persevere.


 Father Ed Bakker 
 Anglican Catholic Church  /Original Province 
 Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne 
 Bendigo Australia