Catechism Thought for the Day

“…and at the last day [the Holy Spirit] will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.”

–Small Catechism explanation to the Third Article of the Creed.

I Believe in the Resurrection of the Body

1. For all the saints who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed
Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou in the darkness drear their one true light:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor’s crown of gold:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

4. Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one within your great design.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

6. The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

7. But lo there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array:
The King of Glory passes on his way:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

8. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Edit: I think this is perhaps one of the most exciting parts of the church year. It forces us to think and talk eschatologically. To shamelessly parody a certain seminary professor, “All theology is eschatology.” To me that’s the beauty of this hymn. Each stanza is great in this one, but my favorite is stanza 5 above. Thanks for reading, and have a blessed All Saints Day.