As we gather, we recognize that we live, work, pray, and play
in the traditional, unceded lands
of the Cowichan Tribes and Coast Salish People. 
We continue to commit ourselves
to the work of reconciliation and relationship-building
with our First Nations neighbours.     

Call to Worship:

They are before the throne of God,
and
he who sits upon the throne
will shelter them
with his presence. 

Revelation 7.15

O Come. Let Us Worship. 

Gathering

Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the
inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

Collect for Today 

Almighty God,
whose people are knit together
in one holy Church,
the mystical Body of your Son,
grant us grace to follow your blessed saints
in lives of faith and commitment,
and to know the inexpressible joys
you have prepared
for those who love you;
through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.

The Proclamation of the Gospel:

John 11.32–44

May the words that I share with you today be words that are given to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving of God’s blessing in our lives.

" Celebrating Our Grief & Gratitude "

Tears of sorrow and tears of joy. 

Each year, in our personal and spiritual lives, we share in sorrow and in joy. Or, as my title for today, we ‘Celebrate Our Grief and Our Gratitude’. 

All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day are among our most celebrated days in the Christian year. 

Sometimes, I think –along with this day—when we remember our deceased loved ones, we also might consider remembering those who have been baptized, or those who have received the Sacrament of Marriage during the past year. 

Because, in some ways, it is the beginning of sainthood, or our life with Christ, and our journey towards sharing in His Resurrection.

For when we celebrate life in the person of the newly baptized and in the beginning of new life—new life begins, and eternal life begins for all of us. 

OK, not everyone will agree with me. That’s OK.

Each year of the 3-year lectionary cycle, the readings change. This year is one that we might think of as “The Year of Tears.” 

Isaiah and Revelation tell us about a time when God will wipe away all our tears.
Each lesson is filled with life, new life, and new beginnings.

Similar, in the Gospel; and we see this very human response from our Lord, and He cries.
He wept at the news of his friend’s death; not uncommon to any of us! 

In Isaiah, we have this image of the final and full messianic banquet. 

No longer is the sacred mountain a mountain filled with terror. Now the mountain is welcoming people to a great feast. 

(Sort of reminds me of the tri-parish feast we had here in celebration of Thanksgiving.)

'The rich food will be filled with marrow and the wine strained.' No sediment in the Lord’s wine!

In this moment, disgrace (Isaiah says) will be wiped away! Death will be defeated! God will save the world!

Verse 9 gives us hope: 

‘It will be said on that day, "See, 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.”’

Reading this account from Isaiah,  (and) I survey the feasts at most funerals. I see a direct reflection of the Feast the prophet gives us a vision of. Not to single out one such feast: last week, when I arrived at the church and saw 4 tables stretched down the middle of our parish hall for a funeral reception, I thought, “Wow! What feast must be being planned!”

I think that (the) feast following funeral services is similar, or in a way, is a metaphor of the Feast that Isaiah sees in his prophecy, for each one of us.

Quoting from “Sundays and Seasons” (a publication I subscribe to), they paint a powerful picture of God’s saving work in the world.

God is determined to save not just a select few, but all people for whom death is an overwhelming reality:

“(God) will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations.”

I am certain some will ask, “Do you believe this?” My answer as a priest is, “It is not mine to assess; I can only say, ‘This is the word of the Lord.’”

This is all the assurance I need. 

At the same time, it is important for the Church to make this Proclamation to the world. 

Therefore, we have this great affirmation of a home with God, in John’s revelation. When we are grieving for the ones who knew and loved us so much, we are told that God’s home is with us. 

God is here. The one who created us, dwells with us. The one who forms us, feeds us, comforts us, and will one day, bring an end to death.

Can we believe it? Some can, and some just need a bit more time!

We are all familiar with the scene in the Gospel today, or I should say, most are familiar with this gospel lesson.
    
There is that moment of doubt, and then the moment of a statement of believing. First, we have the reaction of sorrow and anger by Martha—a very natural and understandable reaction to the death of their brother. 
    
Mary first echoes the pain of her sister. Then, she turns to Jesus and says:

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Even Martha joins in with these words: 

“But even now, I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.”

As much as grief, and belief, can stand side by side, questions remain. Martha was not sure she wanted the stone to be rolled away. At the same time acknowledging, “Death is real.”

Jesus joins us in death, even going to his own tomb.
    
One writer this week gives a great metaphor writing, ‘God raises Jesus from the dead, calling us all out from the tombs in which we find ourselves.’ 
    
I love that:  God calls us out from even the tombs in which we all find ourselves. 

I love that! I think this has so much meaning for us! It calls us to examine so much of our own lives.
I am challenged to remind myself of my personal tombs that I find controlling within myself.
    
So today is the real opportunity we have to recognize that Resurrection is real. 

May the world recognize and trust in it. 

As co-creators with God this day, it is our opportunity to share in a world were Resurrection is real. 
    
May the world know that God has given us a world where Death has no power. 

In 1 Corinthians 15 we read: 

‘O death, where is thy sting? O Grave where is thy victory?
‘The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
‘But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’
 (1Corinthians 15.55-57)

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Let Us Pray

Rooted in God’s abundant love for the world,
let us pray for our neighbours, the church, and all of creation.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

O God of resurrection,
You call us by name and raise us to life.
Rouse your church from slumber. Where we have held back in fear or shame, unbind us. Embolden us in our proclamation of your good news, that all may know abundant life.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

O God of creation,
You have founded your world on rivers and seas.
Preserve fresh water sources and the creatures who call them home. Heal places of pollution and nourish places of drought. 

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

O God of heaven,
You make your home among mortals.
Come alongside those who weep this day. Befriend all who are lonely, encourage those in despair and heal any who are suffering. Abide with your faithful ones in love.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

O God who serves,
You set before us a feast of rich food.
Sustain our ministries of fellowship and hospitality and strengthen the hands and hearts of all who prepare and serve good for our nourishment.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

O God, Alpha and Omega,
We give thanks for your faithful ones who are now at peace.
With all your saints, we praise you, for you have swallowed up death forever.
Remembering:
Clarice Somerville; Sharron Somerville; John Henstock; Roy Crawford; and Jay Jayasinghe.
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

Merciful God,
Receive our prayer.

We offer our prayers to you, gracious God, trusting in your boundless love for all that you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour.  Amen.

As our Saviour taught us:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us  not into temptation,
but deliver us fom evil.  
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory,
forever and ever.  Amen.

May we continue to daily praise the glory of our Lord as reflected in the saints.
And may we, when we share at this table, may we know the joy of the eternal kingdom of our Saviour. 
AMEN.

The Blessing: 

The peace of God,
which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with you, and remain with you, always.  Amen.

May we go in peace this week to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.  Alleluia!