"Backend"
Growing up in northern England, the older folks used neither fall, nor autumn for this season of the year. It is the 'back end' of the year, when the harvest was in, things were being laid up ready for the winter, and the year's cycle is drawing to a close both in the Church and in the fields. In church terms it embraces that longish interval between Michaelmas/Harvest Festival, and the beginning of Advent where the only truly significant event was All Saints' Day, November 1st. Because of General Convention, we are late getting back into our regular schedule this year. Bible Study would normally have restarted in mid-September, but when our studies resumes, it will be on October 14th, with a series on Amos. At Good Shepherd we try to give equal attention to the Old Testament and the New because, as the Articles of Religion put it,
"The Old Testament is not contrary to the New, for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man."
That phrase hints at the continuity of covenant, namely the Covenant of Grace, which underlies both testaments. The redemption of mankind was not some sort of theological accident, but part of God's plan from eternity, a sign of His love toward that which He had created. It is this love for humanity which led to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the second Adam, whose perfect obedience overturned the consequences of Adam's rebellion for those who are called to faith in Him. On the surface, Amos might seem remote from the Gospel, but in its concern for righteousness, it reminds us that we are "called unto righteousness" as servants of Jesus Christ. "Backend" this year sees two holydays fall on Sundays, St Luke the Evangelist (October 18th) and All Saints' Day (November 1st) and these will be celebrated in our regular liturgy, as the older Prayer Book allows the displacement of ordinary Sunday readings by those of major Saints' Days. Luke is remembers as Evangelist, historian, and physician, whilst All Saints' gives us the opportunity to remember all those who by faith and Baptism have attained to the heavenly kingdom.
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