Scripture

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’ (1 Peter 1.3)

Reflection

This weekend is Halloween, and to ‘celebrate’ the occasion several of the houses in the road where I live are festooned with grotesque images of death, the scarier the better. One front garden surpasses all the rest with its amazing display of ghosts, witches, skeletons and grinning skulls, all suspended from a washing line and shaking in the wind. The chief aim seems to be to make death appear as ugly and frightening as possible.

This same weekend the church remembers with thanksgiving all those who have gone before us in faith. The word Halloween actually means ‘the eve of All Hallows’, All Saints Day, and the following day is dedicated to All Souls, when we call to mind those dear ones whom we no longer see but know to be safe in the care of God, our loving Father. No ugliness, no terror, but new birth into a living hope, through faith in the one who assured us that where he is, we too shall be.

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen