The Proper of the Day: Feast of All Saints

Today is one of the seven Principle Feasts of the Church, the Feast of All Saints. On this day we remember not only all the saints already named in our calendar, but also those who are not known to us as well. It's one of my favorite days of the year because we sing some of my all time favorite hymns (although my organist says they are all my favorites), such as "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" and "For All the Saints." But in addition, it's a good time ask why my personal patron, St. John the Evangelist, is indeed my patron. He's my patron because I'm a member of the Fellowship of St. John and because I have special reverence and love for the Fourth Gospel. So my task, it seems to me, is to see how the special qualities of that Gospel are such that I can incorporate them into my life and carry on the work of the Beloved Disciple in my own daily living.

Who are the beloeved saints in your life? Perhaps it's one of the "official" ones, perhaps one known only to you. I invite you to name them in the Comments, and if you're willing, tell a bit about why he, she, or they are your favorites(s).

While you're pondering, here's a version of the hymn tune "Lasst uns erfeuen," which is the tune for "Ye Watchers...."





Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

RFSJ

The Proper of the Day: Feast of All Saints

On this day, the church celebrates the ministry in the world of all the Saints who have lived among us. This is a Principle Feast of the Church, on the same level as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday. The Litany of the Saints is often said or sung today, and in some congregations those who have gone before in the prior year are remebembered as some of the Saints now in God's greater glory. The Gospel for today is traditionally the Beatitudes (this version from Luke:)


Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.

"Blessed are you who are hungry now,

for you will be filled.

"Blessed are you who weep now,

for you will laugh.

"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.

"But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

"Woe to you who are full now,

for you will be hungry.

"Woe to you who are laughing now,

for you will mourn and weep.

"Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."

That's what we're all called to do by Christ. Those who seem to have been able to do so more than most of us we have called Saints, and we find them in every generation, even now. When I think about this, it seems like all I can do is join the heavenly chorus and sing "Praise to God! Alleluia!"

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

RFSJ