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St. Thomas ŕ Becket Foundation |
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making a
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26th. October, 2008 |
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Thought:
"We are all
called to be Walking Saints" Frank Duff. |
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Reflection
Saturday’s feastday
of ‘All Saints’ isn’t about those
who are publicly named as saints
– each of those has their own feastday, like St
George, St David, St Andrew and St
Patrick. Instead on the Feast of ‘All
Saints’ we think of many ordinary good
people who walked with God in their
daily lives, and who are now dead.
Today
is their feastday – the
unmentioned saints – who now live in
God’s presence.
In the early Church,
"saint" was a name for a person whom
today we would call a "committed
Christian". In the Bible – after the
four gospels – we can find the word
"saint" over 60 times. Each reference
concerns living people who seek to
follow Jesus.
For example, Paul writes
to some Christians:
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"If any of the
saints are in need, you must share with
them."
Romans 12:13
"To all of you in
Rome whom God loves greatly, all of you
called to be saints: may God our
Father…send you peace."
Romans 1:7
This feastday of ‘All
Saints’ also reminds us of our own
potential, of what (hopefully) we are in
the process of becoming.
A Christian
living 150 years after Jesus, wrote:
"To the glory of
God is a person living fully."
Paul writes to a
group of "saints" – committed Christians
–
in the Greek city of Ephesus. He
starts off that letter with the words:
"To the saints who
are faithful to Christ…" Ephesians
1:1
Much of our prayers
this week are from words in that same
letter.
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Readings:
Exodus 22:20-26; 1
Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40 |
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Sunday:
Father, in the saints you reveal your presence and your care: as we
venerate them may we be drawn closer to you. We make this prayer
through Christ our lord. Amen
Monday:
When I think of the greatness of God’s plan, I fall on my knees
before God the Father. From his great wealth may he give us power
through his Spirit that we may grow strong within. Through faith,
may we discover that Christ has made his home with each of us. We
make this prayer in Jesus Name. Amen
Tuesday:
With our roots and foundations firmly built on God’s love, may we,
with all of his saints, grasp just how wide and long and high and
deep is Christ’s love. Yes, may we come to experience for ourselves
the love of Christ so that we may be filled completely with God’s
presence. We make this prayer in Jesus Name. Amen |
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Wednesday:
Help us to be walking saints inspiring others. This prayer we
ask of God who can accomplish far more than we could ever ask
for or imagine. Amen
Thursday:
All of us are called to holiness – the fullness of Christian
life which leads to a more fully human way of living. Father
help us to use our strength to become holy, so that, following
in the Jesus’ footsteps and growing in his image, and doing your
will in everything that we may wholeheartedly devote ourselves
to your glory and to the service of our neighbours. We make this
prayer in Jesus Name. Amen
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Friday:
Almighty, ever living God we are celebrating with joy the
triumph of your grace in all the saints. With so vast a
multitude praying for us, may we receive from you the fullness
of mercy we have always desired. We make our prayer through
Christ our Lord. Amen
Saturday:
"The saints are sinners who keep on trying" (Robert Louis
Stevenson). Help us to keep on trying Lord. We make this prayer
in Jesus Name. Amen
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