Monday prior to All Saints

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Psalm 31:1, 3, 5; Antiphon, Rev 7:14b—The antiphon is the description of a portion of the vision which the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John received from our Lord Jesus. In it, he sees those saints who have received the beatific vision of God by virtue of their having been baptized, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, that is, Jesus Christ our Savior. This is the blessed existence that awaits all the elect, for which we yearn even while we groan in this vale of tears.

The hymn writer assures us that we are but pilgrims and strangers on this earth. Heaven is our home. St. Paul explains, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” -2 Corinthians 4:8-11

The Psalmist concludes, “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” These are the last words the Savior spoke when He died on the cruel cross of Calvary. Jesus committed His life into the safe hands of the Father. He fulfilled the Law for you by living a perfect life. Then, He took your sins as His own and died the death which you deserve. Now, by faith you entrust your life to Him.

The psalmist’s expression of trust death was not in his thought.  It was in life. Amidst all its troubles and dangers, he trusted.  The Hebrew translation says literally, he deposited as a trust his spirit. Such is the life of the faithful child of God. We commend ourselves into the hands of God. Thus, in the Morning and Evening we simply pray, “Into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. May your Holy Angel (Spirit) watch over me that the evil foe may have no power over me.” Such a bold and powerful prayer is the prayer of faith.

Prayer for Psalm 31: God of kindness and truth, you saved your chosen one, Jesus Christ, and you give your martyrs strength. Watch over your people who come to you now, and strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you, that they may proclaim your saving acts of kindness in the eternal city; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 2

Sources:

1. All Saints copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

2. Collect for Psalm 31, For All the Saints A Prayer Book For and By the Church © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY