God Swallows Up Death Forever

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Proper 26 the week of the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

The Feast of All Faithful Departed (All Souls Day)

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings: Feast of All Faithful Departed

Psalm 130 or 116:10-17; Wisdom 3:1-9 or Isaiah 25:6-9;

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 or 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; John 5:24-27

Daily Office Old Testament Lesson, Isaiah 25:6-9

6 On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. 7And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. 8Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.

9 It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

David’s Reflections

Today is the feast day from which the parish we launched in Richmond, Virginia in 2003, All Souls gets its name, the Feast of All Souls or The Feast of All Faithful Departed. The Old Testament reading depicts our final salvation as a banquet of salvation hosted by God. At that table, God will satisfy our hungers, physical and spiritual, will comfort us in our griefs, and will remove our disgrace and shame.

Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist on his last night with his followers as an anticipation of that heavenly banquet, and we share that sacred meal each Sunday looking forward to our reunion with those we love and to the full realization of our salvation. We believe that each Sunday we join in praise to God with those people who continually praise God in the unseen world just beyond the reach of our vision. As we sing each Sunday, “Joining our voices with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.”

In today’s reading, God swallows up death forever (v. 7). God’s banquet, as we see that lived out in Jesus, has death for its menu. But, God in Christ swallowing up sin and death opens for us the rich banquet of salvation.

This feast day celebrates our union with all who have died in faith, whereas November 1, All Saints Day traditionally has focused on the martyrs and well known saints. November 2 extends that focus to all believers who now are part of the church triumphant in heaven.

Beginning in the 10th century, the church set apart another day -- as a sort of extension of All Saints -- to celebrate that vast body of the faithful who, thought no less members of the company of the redeemed, are unknown in the wider fellowship of the Church. It was also a day for particular remembrance of family members and friends. On this day we can recall that in the New Testament documents we all are saints, literally “holy ones,” because we are children of a holy God.

The Episcopal Online Dictionary (https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/all-faithful-departed-commemoration-of/ ) in its paragraph about this day says, “This optional observance is an extension of All Saints' Day. While All Saints' is to remember all the saints, popular piety felt the need to distinguish between outstanding saints and those who are unknown in the wider fellowship of the church, especially family members and friends.”

The observance of the day was abolished at the Reformation because of abuses connected with Masses for the dead, a renewed understanding of its meaning has led to a widespread acceptance of this commemoration among Anglicans, and to its inclusion as an optional observance on the calendar of the Episcopal Church.

See the web link http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/AllSouls.htm for prayers and readings.

Collect of the Feast of All Faithful Departed

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; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day, Proper 26,The Sunday closest to November 2

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (BCP, 235)

A Collect for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)

For the Sick

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those (or N., or NN.) for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 260)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)