2 Commemoration of All Faithful Departed
3 Richard Hooker, Priest, 1600 was an English priest in the Church of England and an influential theologian.[2] He was one of the most important English theologians of the sixteenth century
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6 William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1944
7 Willibrord, Archbishop of Utrecht, Missionary to Frisia, 739
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OLD TESTAMENT:  Joshua 3: 7 - 17  (RCL)

Josh 3:7 (NRSV) The LORD said to Joshua, "This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, so that they may know that I will be with you as I was with Moses. 8 You are the one who shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, "When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'" 9 Joshua then said to the Israelites, "Draw near and hear the words of the LORD your God." 10 Joshua said, "By this you shall know that among you is the living God who without fail will drive out from before you the Ca'naanites, Hit'tites, Hi'vites, Per'izzites, Gir'gashites, Am'orites, and Jeb'usites: 11 the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is going to pass before you into the Jordan. 12 So now select twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 When the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan flowing from above shall be cut off; they shall stand in a single heap."
14 When the people set out from their tents to cross over the Jordan, the priests bearing the ark of the covenant were in front of the people. 15 Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest. So when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the edge of the water, 16 the waters flowing from above stood still, rising up in a single heap far off at Adam, the city that is beside Zar'ethan, while those flowing toward the sea of the Ar'abah, the Dead Sea, were wholly cut off. Then the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 While all Israel were crossing over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan.


Micah 3: 5 - 12  (C of E, alt. for RCL)

Mica 3:5 (NRSV) Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets
who lead my people astray,
who cry "Peace"
when they have something to eat,
but declare war against those
who put nothing into their mouths.
6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision,
and darkness to you, without revelation.
The sun shall go down upon the prophets,
and the day shall be black over them;
7 the seers shall be disgraced,
and the diviners put to shame;
they shall all cover their lips,
for there is no answer from God.
8 But as for me, I am filled with power,
with the spirit of the LORD,
and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression
and to Israel his sin.
9 Hear this, you rulers of the house of Jacob
and chiefs of the house of Israel,
who abhor justice
and pervert all equity,
10 who build Zion with blood
and Jerusalem with wrong!
11 Its rulers give judgment for a bribe,
its priests teach for a price,
its prophets give oracles for money;
yet they lean upon the LORD and say,
"Surely the LORD is with us!
No harm shall come upon us."
12 Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
and the mountain of the house a wooded height.


Milachi 1: 14b - 2: 2b, 8 - 10  (Roman Catholic)

Mala 1:14 (NRSV) I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name is reverenced among the nations.
2:1 And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not listen, if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse on you and I will curse your blessings;

8 But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts, 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.
10 {The Covenant Profaned by Judah} Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?


PSALM 107: 1 - 7, 33 - 37  (RCL)

Psal 107:1 (NRSV) O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to an inhabited town;
5 hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress;
7 he led them by a straight way,
until they reached an inhabited town.

33 He turns rivers into a desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,
because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
35 He turns a desert into pools of water,
a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry live,
and they establish a town to live in;
37 they sow fields, and plant vineyards,
and get a fruitful yield.


107

Part I   Confitemini Domino    (ECUSA BCP)

1      Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
     and his mercy endures for ever.

2      Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
     that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.

3      He gathered them out of the lands; *
     from the east and from the west,
     from the north and from the south.
 
4      Some wandered in desert wastes; *
     they found no way to a city where they might dwell.

5      They were hungry and thirsty; *
     their spirits languished within them.

6      Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
     and he delivered them from their distress.

7      He put their feet on a straight path *
     to go to a city where they might dwell.


33      The Lord changed rivers into deserts, *
     and water-springs into thirsty ground,

34      A fruitful land into salt flats, *
     because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.

35      He changed deserts into pools of water *
     and dry land into water-springs.


36      He settled the hungry there, *
     and they founded a city to dwell in.

37      They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *
     and brought in a fruitful harvest.



Psalm 43 (C of E, alt. for RCL)

Psal 43:1 (NRSV) Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people;
from those who are deceitful and unjust
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you cast me off?
Why must I walk about mournfully
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 O send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my help and my God.


43   Judica me, Deus   (ECUSA BCP)

1      Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
 deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.

2      For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
 and why do I go so heavily while the enemy
        oppresses me?

3      Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
 and bring me to your holy hill
 and to your dwelling;

4      That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
 and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.


5      Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
 and why are you so disquieted within me?

6      Put your trust in God; *
 for I will yet give thanks to him,
 who is the help of my countenance, and my God.


Psalm 131  (Roman Catholic)

Psal 131:1 (NRSV) O LORD, my heart is not lifted up,
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. 
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time on and forevermore.


NEW TESTAMENT:  1 Thessalonians 2: 9 - 13   (RCL, C of E)

1The 2:9 (NRSV) You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. 11 As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, 12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers.

17 As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you--in person, not in heart--we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. 18 For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again--but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 Yes, you are our glory and joy!


1 Thessalonians 2: 7b - 9, 13  (Roman Catholic)

1The 2:7 (NRSV) (W)e were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. 8 So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
9 You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

13 We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers.


h/t Montreal Anglican
Paul continues his defence of his techniques in founding the Thessalonian church. In v. 9, he reminds his readers that he (and perhaps Silvanus and Timothy) worked strenuously while with them, probably dividing his time between his trade (tent-making) and proclaiming the gospel. (Every Jew learnt a trade.) He did not impose on them. Both they and God are “witnesses” (v. 10) to the interior goodness and fidelity to God (“pure”), propriety (“upright”) and freedom from sin (“blameless”) in their conduct towards the converts. Back in v. 7, he spoke of nourishing them as a mother nourishes her baby; now (v. 11) he speaks of the father’s role: a father instructs. He appealed to them (“urging”, v. 12), encouraged them, and pleaded with them – to walk in God’s ways (“lead ...”), who calls them to share in the new order, now and at the end of time.

In 1:5, Paul has said that “our message ... came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit ...”. Now he gives thanks for this: that they understood the good news not on his authority (as his), nor effective through him, “but as what it really is, God’s word” (v. 13), made active in those who believe.

Verse 9: Acts 18:2-3 tells us that Paul was a tent-maker by trade. Paul may have used Aquila’s shop to spread the good news. [ NJBC] In 1 Corinthians 4:12, Paul writes: “we grow weary from the work of our own hands”. [ CAB]

Verse 9: “the gospel of God”: i.e. the good news originating from God which proclaims what God has done. [ NJBC]

Verse 10: “and God also”: Perhaps a mild oath supporting the emissaries’ integrity. [ NJBC]

Verse 10: “pure, upright, and blameless”: These terms are virtually synonyms. Use of such repetitions is characteristic of 1 Thessalonians: see, for example, 1:5 and 2:3. [ NJBC]

Verse 11: In 1 Corinthians 4:15, Paul says: “For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel”; in Philemon 10, he writes: “I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment”. [ CAB]

Verse 12: In Romans 16:2, Paul commends Phoebe to his readers “so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well”; in Philippians 1:27, he urges the Christians at Philippi to “live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”. See also Ephesians 4:1 and Colossians 1:10.

Verse 12: “kingdom”: The Greek word, basileia, is rarely used by Paul but is used frequently in the Synoptic gospels. Both “kingdom” and “glory” refer to God’s end-time reign. [ NJBC]

Verses 13-16: Many scholars consider these verses, so critical of Jews, to be a later addition to the letter for two reasons:

    The anti-Jewish language is not like that Paul uses elsewhere, but especially
    It is atypical of Paul to offer a second thanksgiving in a letter. [ NOAB]

Verse 13: Galatians 1:11-12 is similar: “For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ”. [ CAB]

GOSPEL:  Matthew 23: 1 - 12  (all but C of E)

Matt 23:1 (NRSV) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Phar'isees sit on Moses' seat; 3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 6 They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father--the one in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.


Jesus has just silenced his principal critics, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, by showing their lack of understanding of parts of the Old Testament. He now speaks “to the crowds and to his disciples”. (Most “scribes”, v. 2, were Pharisees. They made copies of the Mosaic law; they taught and applied it and the aural tradition that had grown up around it, considering the latter to be as binding as the Law.)

Jesus tells his audience (v. 2): the Pharisees have authority to teach the Law, in (what was considered) an unbroken chain back to Moses (“Moses’ seat”), so honour their teachings, but beware of their practices! They are great ones for teaching a severe (rather than humane) interpretation of the Law (“heavy burdens”, v. 4) and not following it themselves! They are vain and hypocritical (v. 5): they exert effort to appear pious. (“Phylacteries” are small boxes containing biblical texts, worn on the arm or the forehead; “fringes” are prescribed in Numbers and Deuteronomy as a way of remembering to live by the commandments. The longer the fringes, the more pious the wearer appears to be.) Vv. 6-7 give four examples of vanity. (“Rabbi” means master and later became a title for a synagogue leader.) Then vv. 8-10: Christians are not to use honorific titles. Jesus is our one “teacher” and instructor for we are his lifelong disciples; others teach us only for a time. God the “Father” is our father. Vv. 11-12 emphasize the importance of humility and service to others.

erse 2: “The scribes and the Pharisees”: According to CAB, “scribes” devoted themselves to the interpretation of the Law and “Pharisees” sought the direct relevance of the Law to everyday life. They claimed divinely confirmed interpretation of the Law.

Verse 3: To NJBC, this verse only makes sense as irony.

Verse 4: “heavy burdens”: i.e. minute and perplexing interpretations of the Law. In Luke 11:46, Jesus warns lawyers of his time: “‘Woe also to you lawyers! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not lift a finger to ease them’” while in Matthew 11:28-30 he says: “‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light’”. In Acts 15:10, Peter says of those who expect Christians to follow Jewish practices: “‘why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?’”. [ NOAB]

Verse 5: In 6:1, Jesus warns: “‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven’”; in 6:5 he advises: “whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others”. See also 6:16.

Verse 5: “phylacteries”: called tefillin in Hebrew. Wearing them on the head and on the arm is commanded in Exodus 13:9, 16; Deuteronomy 6:8; 11:18. They contained strips of parchment bearing the texts of Exodus 13:9, 16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-20. Today the texts are written on paper. [ NOAB] CAB gives a longer (and different) list of verses: Exodus 13:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21.

Verse 5: “fringes”: The texts which prescribe “fringes” are Numbers 15:38-40 and Deuteronomy 22:12. See also Mark 6:56, where Jesus’ wearing of a fringe on his cloak shows his observance of the Law. [ NOAB]

Verses 6-7: In Mark 12:38-40, Jesus warns about scribes on most of these grounds. His warning in Luke 11:43 is about Pharisees. See also Luke 14:7-11 and 20:45-47.

Verse 8: James 3:1 says: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness”. [ NOAB]

Verse 8: “rabbi”: This term had only recently come into use as a technical term for an authorized Jewish teacher-sage.

Verse 9: “father”: Saul ben Batnith (ca. 80-120 AD) was the first known Jewish sage to bear the title abba (father). Despite the prohibition in this verse, the title gradually crept back into the Church through the monastic movement, where it first served as the title of a spiritual director. [ NJBC]

Verse 12: Luke 14:11 is almost identical. See also Luke 18:14. In Matthew 18:4, Jesus says: “‘Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’”. 1 Peter 5:6 advises: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time”. [ NOAB]

Matthew 24: 1 - 14   (C of E)

Matt 24:1 (NRSV) {The Destruction of the Temple Foretold} As Jesus came out of the temple and was going away, his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 Then he asked them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down."
3 When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" 4 Jesus answered them, "Beware that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Messiah!' and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8 all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
9 "Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. 10 Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.