Today the Church is celebrating the Feast of All Saints. This Feast reminds us that in the Eucharist we share in the whole communion of saints, with all God’s people, living and departed. Like them we are called to be a holy people who find our fulfilment in following the lifestyle advocated by Jesus’ teaching. Today’s reading from Luke’s ‘sermon on the plain’ presents a series of beatitudes, similar to those presented by Matthew in the ‘sermon on the mount’. The beatitudes affirm the lifestyle lived when God reigns within our lives.

For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of fulfilment. In today’s picture from their book, Good morning, Teddy Horsley and Betsy Bear celebrate fulfilment in life as they enjoy singing under their umbrella.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you give to your saints

an unending welcome at your festive table.

Inspire us by the examples

of your people who have gone before us,

that we may share with them

the joys of your eternal reign;

for you are our God.

Amen.

Next week, the Third Sunday before Advent, the reading from Luke’s Gospel finds Jesus in debate with the Sadducees about the afterlife. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is butterflies. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.

Preparation Resources

Family Resources