______________________________________________________

 

The first two lessons-Psalm 119 and Habakkuk-speak to the importance of, and the disregard some have to God’s law while the epistle lesson includes greeting, blessing, and thanksgiving around those who live-and are prepared to suffer-for Christ. The gospel lesson reminds us of the great invitation that God throws to all humanity, no matter the station, position, or status of life.

PSALM 119:137-144-YOUR JUDGMENTS ARE RIGHT

We visited this psalm back on October 17, so this Torah-honoring psalm will still be in recent memory. In this particular place in the acrostic poem, a stream of leit-motifs are apparent. God’s judgments-as revealed in the Torah-set the standard for appropriate or "righteous" living; tried and tested and found to be a faithful and true standard, the psalmist admits zealousness against those who do not esteem God’s words. Such a righteousness as God’s is eternal and the law truth.

HABAKKUK 1:1-4, 2:1-4-GOD’S VISION IS COMING INTO REALITY

The message of Habakkuk has become known to Christians through a single strand, "The just shall live by faith," quoted by the apostle Paul in Romans 1:17. The phrase appears in our lesson, but sandwiched within two parts. The first part introduces the book, but more importantly raises the prophet’s questions concerning God’s inattention and inactivity when violence threatens all around him. In the prophet’s view, a total disregard for the laws of God lies at the center of all of the violence. Because the law has become slack, "justice never prevails" (v. 4). In the second part of the lesson (2:1-4), as Habakkuk stands on the lookout, God replies that while God’s vision is on the way toward becoming a reality, don’t become discouraged with delays; while the proud resist, the righteous will "live by their faith" (v. 4).

2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-4, 11-12-LIVING A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALL

The first two verses that begin this early epistle of Paul grace the recipients with grace and peace, Paul’s usual greeting. A general thanksgiving fills vv. 3-4 which is offered on the basis of the Thessalonians’ growing faith and love in the face of persecutions. The final two verses that close this lesson issues a prayer for support for those undergoing suffering for the name of Jesus. Paul prays that God would make them worthy of his call . . . so that Christ would be highly honored through their lives.

LUKE 19:1-10-RESPONSE TO THE WORD

This is the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. Jesus enters Jericho-also the place where Bartimaeus receives his sight-and looks up to see a spectator overhead in the balcony of a tree that overlooks the road where he walks. "Hurry and come down," Jesus says, "I’m staying at your house today" (v. 5). Needless to say, the man of little stature hurries down. The conversation provides some among the crowd the opening to commentate on the company that Jesus keeps, an old criticism that keeps surfacing throughout Jesus’ ministry. In the end, Jesus pronounces salvation on the Zacchaean household. "For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost" (v. 10).

 

History of All Saints Day

"Hallow", in Old English, means "holy" or "sacred." Therefore, "Hallows' Eve," or "Halloween" simply means "the evening of holy persons" and refers to the evening before All Saints Day, which is this day, November 1 on both Anglican and Catholic calendars. In the early years when Rome persecuted Christians, so many martyrs died for their faith, that the Church set aside special days to honor them. For example, in 607 Emperor Phocas presented to the Pope the beautiful Roman Pantheon temple (see picture at top of page). The Pope quickly removed the statues of Jupiter and the pagan gods and consecrated the Pantheon to "all saints" who had died from Roman persecution in the first three hundred years after Christ. Their bones were brought from other graves and placed in the rededicated Pantheon church.

In the next century, All Saints Day was changed by Pope Gregory III to today's date-- November l. In the 10th century, Abbot Odela of the Cluny monastery added the next day--November 2nd--as "All Souls" Day" to honor not just the martyrs, but all Christians who had died. People prayed for the dead, but many unchristian superstitions also were continued. Food was often offered to the dead--as it had been in pagan times. It was also believed that on these two days, souls in purgatory would take the form of witches, toads, or demons and haunt persons who had wronged them during their lifetime.

As happens so often in Church history, sacred Christian festivals can absorb so many pagan customs that they lose their significance as Christian holidays. But think of it positively. Who are your favorite heroes in Christian History? Can you think of any whose example has inspired you? Why not use this All Saint's Day to think of and give thanks for as many Christians from the past that you know about, whether they are famous or not, whose lives have contributed something to yours.