32nd Sunday Year A

32nd Sunday – Year A  – Remembrance Weekend

What do we think of this weekend? What comes to mind when we think about Remembrance Weekend?

To some it is obvious – it is the time when we remember especially, those who gave their lives fighting for their countries in the two World Wars.

To others it is the time when we remember all of those who died fighting in any and all wars and conflicts that there have ever been. We think, especially, this weekend of the fighting going on in Gaza and remember with horror all those that died In the attack on the Israelis and those that have died in the subsequent retaliatory attacks by Israel in and on Gaza: all the men, women and children who have been killed as well as all of those taken hostage by Hamas

To others still it is the time when we remember and mourn for those we have lost ourselves, from our own families or circles of friends – to injury or illness or accident: to whatever caused their death.

This weekend and this month can also be a time of remembrance of and for ourselves and for the faith that we profess and try to live.

We remember our war-dead with thanks and gratitude for their lives, for their being parts of our families and communities and for their making that ultimate sacrifice – the giving of their lives so that we might live ours in freedom and in continued faith. That we might have and continue to have those opportunities which they had felt were theirs and should be ours: the opportunities to live, to love and to laugh, to speak out freely and openly about all that we believe to be true and to rejoice in our faith and belief in a God who loves all equally.

We remember our departed family members and friends with love for who they were and who they are and how they were instrumental in our upbringing; in the development of our lives, our living and our loving.

No matter our age, we remember and recall with fondness and with joy how our lives were when we were all together – healthy and happy and wholesome, and there are elements from our memories that we try to maintain and continue and promote in honour of those departed and as a continuance of what they taught us and brought us up to believe.

We know that our departed brothers and sisters would not want us to be downhearted or full of despair; to be anxious or empty of hope. They would not want us to be sad and dispirited. No – they would want the opposite of all of these things. They would want to see a living, breathing and vibrant family and community that lives on stronger because they have played their part and more able to fight off despair and despondency.

I believe that they would want to see us as strong in faith and in family. Strong and confident in what we know to be true – that we are baptised to live forever with our heavenly father and that we are confident and committed to living our lives as faithful, vocal and active members of his church on earth.

We are called by God to be ready for the second coming of his son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to prepare ourselves, our lives, our souls and our spirits to be in such a place that we can rejoice wholeheartedly when he comes again to take us to himself. We are called to make sure that all that we are doing and have done reflects his love for me, for us and our love for him – clear, unashamed and unabashed love.

How do we respond to this calling? It is not necessarily a matter or a need to give up our lives and die but we are called to give of our lives to the full, to the utmost in the service of Our Lord and Father. To live our lives full of rejoicing in the Lord and full of the life, the vitality, the joy and the exuberance that others enabled for us by giving fully of themselves. To come together when and where we can, and to take the opportunities, to pray, to be in the presence of God in his holy church.

We are to live lives that are fully prepared at all times to meet our maker:  that are lives full of the love of Gode shown through our constant and consistent love of our neighbour, filled with every respect and regard for who  they are, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

We remember this weekend those who died across so many wars and conflicts as well as those who have passed away from our own circles of families and friends. We remember them with love, with gratitude and with thanks to the Lord for the gifts of their lives and their examples to us all. Greater love has no man or woman than they give up their lives for their friends. How much greater is this love and sacrifice when offered up for people they did not know?

We can honour those that have fallen by striving to live our lives as active, joyful, prayerful, caring, sharing and loving Christians. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.”

Bidding Prayers

1.       We remember all those that have died across any and all wars and conflicts and thank God for their lives and their sacrifice to save others. We pray that they find eternal rest with their heavenly Father. Lord in your mercy

2.       For all those who have been wounded and had their lives and the lives of their families torn apart by war and conflict that they received the loving support they need as and when they need it. Lord in your mercy

3.       For an increase in peace and harmony across our troubled world. We remember especially this weekend, the conflicts in the Ukraine and in Israel and Gaza and pray for an early resolution to these situations. Lord in your mercy

4.       For our parish communities – that we continue to grow in love and support for each other and reach out to those in most need of our care and loving actions. Lord in your mercy

5.       For all who are sick in whatever way – that they are comforted by our prayers and actions.

6.       For those who have died recently. We remember James Aspinall whose funeral service is on Thursday 16th November at 12.00 followed by burial at Landican. May he and all souls, find eternal rest with the lord

7.       That Mary our Mother and the Mother of the church, join her prayers with ours as we now say together, Hail Mary, full of grace. . . .