Thoughts For Today – Sunday, November 2, 2025

My Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Certainly, in our thoughts as we gather for worship today, are all the people in Jamaica who have suffered from the devastation of the category 5 Hurricane, Melissa, over the past few days. I need not recount the many stories which the media has brought to our attention, but I must share with you a prayer that was used many years ago by the delegates assembled in New Zealand for the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (with a slight change to fit our situation).

Creating God, you have set us in a world beyond our control, yet promised never to allow its captivity to decay or destroy us. We now pray for all those who have experienced the havoc of Hurricane Melissa, especially those who have lost homes or loved ones. Give courage to those who work in emergency services, wisdom to those leading communities and nations, and compassion and patience to families and friends as they seek safety together, share the grief this time, and work to rebuild cities and neighbourhoods. Hasten that day when the whole creation shall be renewed, and we live at peace and in harmony with the world and its peoples. Accept our prayer through Jesus Christ, who himself calmed the storm and taught us not to fear but to trust you as the God who dwells with us in every circumstance.
Amen
Now I turn my attention to All Saints’ Day, which falls on November 1 each year, and which is the only Principal Feast in the Christian Year which may be observed, not only on the fixed date, but also on the following Sunday, so our focus today will be on the observance of that festival. It is the celebration of all Christian Saints, known and unknown, past and present. It embraces the great heroes of the faith and it
also embraces the simple souls whose only claim to greatness is that they have put their trust in the living Christ. Whenever we are tempted to think that we are of little worth, let us remember the words of Jesus, recorded in Matt.11:11, “Truly I tell you, among those born of woman no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (See also Luke 7:28).
We celebrate the fact that we are a part of God’s wonderful communion of saints. What a glorious company!
Contributed