These were the opening words of scripture spoken at the memorial service at Colesville Presbyterian Church this past Saturday for Tad Cavuoti, my dearest friend, confidant and colleague. Tad was well-known and loved by many here at All Saints Church.

For those of us mourning the loss of loved ones – and there are many of us at this time – these words from our Savior Jesus Christ give us hope and comfort.

This seems culturally counter-intuitive. Why write of death when I could easily avoid this subject and write about something cheerful (which I have often done in past Daily Moments)? And yet, here we are in a Kingdom Church. Do we take these words of comfort from our Lord to heart? They go beyond merely cheerful – these words are profound and give us the best news one could ever hope for!

Of course, we experience grief at these times. Jesus set the example with his friend Lazarus. You know... the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” But, as Christians we keep our eyes focused on the future horizon, knowing that we will share eternity with our Lord, and – as Fr. Ed used to remind us at every funeral – we will see our loved ones again.

All Saints Day, November 1, falls on Monday this year. It is a day on which we remember and give thanks and praise to God for all the saints. And by the way, that includes us! On the following Sunday, November 7, our choir will offer Choral Evensong at 4 p.m. in honor of all the saints, and there will be a reading of the parish necrology.

As we celebrate All Saints Day, remember that Jesus promises us that through Him we will have eternal life. His promises are true. This I know, because the Bible tells me so!

God bless you!

Peter