Image item

Nothing in you that 
has not died will 
ever be raised 
from the dead.
C.S. Lewis
 
 
 

Let us remember our death
 
On the cusp of both winter and Advent, the Church invites its people to an autumn triduum. In contrast to the resurrection triduum of spring and Easter, fall is earth’s reminder of our mortality. Allhallowtide arrives each autumn to tap us on the shoulder, inviting us into this seasonal death with open arms, exclaiming, “Memento Mori! Remember you will die.”
 
The Autumn Triduum is traditionally a time for Christians to contemplate our readiness for our future in the Church Triumphant as well as celebrate the cloud of witness which has gone before us.  Becoming ready for eternity is a matter of obedience, of living well, of pursuing Christ, of death to self.
 
As the days get darker, they calls us to wonder – how are we being the light of the world?
 
As the landscape becomes bare, it calls us to wonder – are we ready to be exposed before the righteous judgement of God?
 
As the things of the earth sleep, they calls us to wonder – do we understand death as way we are reborn, resurrected, fully redeemed?
Breathe
 
Inhale: teach us to number my days
 
Exhale: that we may be wise
 
of Psalm 90:12
Pray
Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer
Sing
Carving Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is one of my family's favorite annual Allhallowtide activities and such a beautiful picture of the death-to-life journey to which God calls each of us:
 
- He chooses us. 
- He cleans the yucky stuff out of our insides. 
- He gives us his light to shine to the world. 
 
Here's a little liturgy for your family to use as you carve and light your pumpkins this year!
 
Liturgy for Carving Pumpkins
 
Assemble your pumpkin carving materials plus the candles and a lighter.
The words in bold are intended for everyone to say together as they are able.
 
Blessed are you, O King of the Universe, who brings forth pumpkins from the earth to sustain our bodies and gladden our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
 
Carve your pumpkins and place the unlit candle inside.
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me
 
Light the pumpkins’ candles:
O Lord, we thank you that you have seen us and known us, sought us and bought us, and cleaned us of all unrighteousness. Grant us grace to be bearers of your light that we may illuminate the dark places and draw others to your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 
 
Bonus

New to the newsletter?
 

 
 
Instagram
Podcast
Facebook