Wednesday, November 1, 2006 -- Week of Proper 25 -- All Saints Day

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


Today's Readings for the Daily Office
Either the readings for Wednesday of Proper 25 (p. 991)
Psalm 119:49-72 (morning) // 49, [53] (evening)
Ecclesiasticus 28:14-26 (found in the Apocrypha; also called Sirach)
Revelation 12:1-6
Luke 11:37-52

Or the readings for All Saints Day (p. 1000)
Morning Prayer:
Psalms 111, 112
2 Esdras 2:42-47 (found in the Apocrypha)
Hebrews 11:32 - 12:2

Evening Prayer:
Psalms 148, 150
Wisdom 5:1-5, 14-16
Revelation 21:1-4, 22 - 22:5

[All Saints Day Eucharist at 10:00 in the chancel at St. Paul's]

(I used that All Saints readings for Morning Prayer today)

2 Esdras is a Christian text dated sometime after the Book of the Revelation, maybe around 150 CE. The vision we read today is not unlike John's vision of Rev. 7. Ezra sees a happy multitude on Mount Zion, and in their midst is "a young man of great stature" who places crowns on their heads and palms in their hands. It is Jesus rewarding those who have confessed him and have now "put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal."

The author of Hebrews gives us an exhortation to faith, even in times of trial and torture. He commends heroes of the Hebrew tradition -- some who triumphed and some who were tortured and killed. They were faithful to the end even though during their lifetimes they did not see or obtain the promise that we enjoy, the gift and power of the resurrection of Jesus.

His final example is Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God."

The strength we are given to persevere in hope during times of pain, suffering, and grief is the strength of the resurrection. We join our struggles to those who have gone before and are inspired by their good example. We offer our suffering to God in union with Christ's cross, trusting that God will use our loss as God used the cross of Jesus for the healing of the world. What God does best is resurrection.

Who are those who are heroes for you? Who inspires your best effort, your best faith? When I was struggling to develop a regular habit of prayer, I read how then-President Jimmy Carter made time each day for his Bible study. I thought, if the President of the United States can find time for daily prayer and study, so can I. One of my heroes was the priest of the church of my childhood. He spoke out on controversial things during the racial tensions of that day, and he gently accepted the criticism that came his way from his friends who disagreed with him. I know someone who lived her entire life with severe pain and disfigurement from an accident during her teens. She was one of my favorite teachers.

We all have people who inspire us to face our sufferings, pains and challenges. They are all our saints.

Collect for All Saints' Day :
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.
__________

Lowell

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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR