The Communion of Saints
I believe in the communion of saints.
Reading (1 Corinthians 15: 51-56)
What I am telling you is a mystery: we will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. This perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Then the saying will be fulfilled:"Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Song (Isaiah 9: 1-6)
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Upon those who dwell in a land of gloom
A light has shown.
You have brought them abundant joy
And great rejoicing.
For the yoke that burdened them,
The pole on their shoulder,
And the rod of their taskmaster,
You have smashed.For a child is born to us,
A son is given to us.
Upon his shoulder dominion rests.
His dominion is vast
And forever peaceful.
He will establish justice
Now and forever.
Reflection
By our faith in Jesus Christ we become the people of the resurrection. We live not for this world but for heaven. And we enter into communion with those who have gone before us and who have kept the faith. The threshold of death does not separate us from them. We are closer to them than we are to those with whom we are most intimate in this world. For we are united with them in Christ. What holds together the communion of the faithful, both the living and the dead, is the Lord Jesus. He is our assurance of victory over sin and death. And if these have been vanquished, what is left to separate us from the love of God?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, by your death and resurrection you won for us the forgiveness of our sins and the hope of eternal life. We rejoice in the company of your faithful of every age. Our voices join with theirs in a hymn of praise and thanksgiving. We look forward to the day when we will join them in worshipping you in heaven.