Feast of All Saints
Congregation at Prayer
A Guide for Daily Meditation and Prayer
For the Week of November7thto 13th
Catechesis Notes for the Week…
As we commemorate all the faithful who have departed this life and now join the saints in glory around the throne, we remember also what makes us saints—or better, who makes us saints.
His very name, ‘Jesus,’ proclaims the saving Gospel of God: “The Lord is salvation” for “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This Gospel, as we heard at Reformation, is what makes, or creates saints. That this Jesus “was conceived by the Holy Spirit” and “born of the Virgin Mary” teaches us that our Lord Jesus Christ is true God and true man, yet without the stain of original sin that is passed on from human father to offspring. In the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, the Father restores His image in man and provides for Himself the innocent substitute who alone is worthy to bear the sin of the whole world in His death upon the cross. This is the message of all Scripture: Jesus Christ took the place of sinful man, that sinful man might be reconciled to God.
For the Christian, it’s all about Christ! And who would want it any other way? For in Christ, we receive everything the Father has to offer. In Christ, our salvation is won, our sins are forgiven, our debt is paid, and we are free!
To those who are called to this faith, to trust in this Jesus Christ alone, the name “saint” is given. Saints are made at the Baptismal font where the Name of Jesus is put on us. Saints are made by hearing the preached Word, the declaration by the pastor that your sins are forgiven. Saints are made at the communion rail. And so it is that saints gather wherever they hear the voice of their master, Jesus Christ.
Saints Are Blessed in the Eternal Presence of Christ
Responsive Prayer 2 – LSB p.285
Learn-By-Heart Scripture…John 1:14
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Learn-By-Heart Catechism…The Creed
What is the Second Article?
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
What does this mean?
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord,
who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,
that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.
This is most certainly true.
Daily Readings…
Monday (11/7):Jeremiah 11:1-23; Matthew 24:1-28
Tuesday (11/8):Jeremiah 20:1-18; Matthew 24:29-51
Wednesday (11/9):Jeremiah 22:1-23; Matthew 25:1-13
Thursday (11/10):Jeremiah 23:1-20; Matthew 25:14-30
Friday (11/11):Jeremiah 23:21-40; Matthew 25:31-46
Saturday (11/12):Jeremiah 25:1-18; Matthew 26:1-19
Sunday (11/13):Jeremiah 26:1-19; Matthew 26:20-35
Prayer of the Week…
Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.Amen.
Hymn of the Week…“For All the Saints” 677
Looking Forward to Next Week…
Zephaniah1:7-161 Thessalonians5:1-11Matthew 25:14-30