still remembering

Thank you God, for your Divine Service to us, and for providing a foretaste of this joy to come.

"The Proper Preface for Holy Communion concludes by placing these words in the mouth of the officiant: "Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Thy glorious name . . ." "Therefore with angels and archangels!" This statement is both glorious and utterly incredible. With these words we are transported. Suddenly time and space fall away; they recede into insignificance and we are united with heavenly choirs. In the Holy Communion we are joined to an ongoing feast in the presence of God. This is the feast which will never end. This is worship. This is the worship of saints. And here you have your place, a place reserved for you from the foundation of the world. At the Holy Communion heaven overlaps earth and the words of Hebrews 12 become present reality: "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect." In the liturgy of the church this eternal worship of God enters time - our time. This is the "real" time – time which finds its beginning in God; time which is never diminished."

- Reverend Dean M. Bell

Read the full essay on the Divine Service, "With Angels and Archangels: Some Thoughts on Real-Time Worship"

May God instruct our faithful imaginations, guided always by His Word, as we remember our loved ones and His promises.  Even now, those grandparents and children and friends who have died with Christ are living with Him in glory.  Even now, our Father who sustains them sustains us.  Even now, we look forward with joy to the day when we are united forever in Him.  

Jesus, hold us close to you as we look forward to that day.  Amen.