All Souls

Today is often called “All Souls’ Day” and
it is an opportunity to remember and
pray for those we have loved who have
died. We’ll listen to a short poem about
‘dying’:
“What is dying?
The ship sailed away
and I stand watching
till it fades on the horizon,
and someone at my side says: ‘The ship is gone.’
Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all;
the ship is just as large as when I saw it.
As I see the ship grow smaller
and go out of sight,
it is just at that moment
that there are others in a different place
who say:
‘Watch; here the ship comes’”
and other voices take up a glad shout:
‘You have arrived!’
- and that is what dying is about.”
Let us pray:
We give back to you, Father,
those whom you first gave to us.
You did not lose them
in giving them to us
and so we do not lose them
in their return to you.
And while you prepare a place for us
as you have promised,
prepare us also for that happy place,
that where you are, we may be also,
with those we have loved, for ever.


Your Son has taught us
that life is eternal
and love cannot die.
So death is only an horizon
- the limits of our sight.
Open our eyes
and lift us up,
so that we may see more clearly.
Draw us closer to you
so that we may know
that we are nearer to our loved ones
who are with you.
And while you prepare a place for us
as you have promised,
prepare us also for that happy place,
that where you are, we may be also,
with those we have loved, for ever.
Amen.

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