The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Doing the Father's Will
Click here for today's readings on the USCCB website.
Reading I: Wisdom 3:1-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Reading II: Romans 6:3-9
Alleluia: Matthew 25:34
Gospel: John 6:37-40
Today’s readings audio:
The Hidden Counsels of God (On Suffering) (Wisdom 3:1-9)
In today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom, King Solomon tells us about death and the righteous.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.Wisdom 3:1
In this we get a glimpse of Heaven and a foreshadowing of a promise. Those that are righteous, so appearing to be dead on earth, their souls stand before God. Those that died in righteousness are no longer suffering, they are at peace in the presence of God.
John Bergsma and Brant Pitre discuss this and say:
… after implicit persecution and execution of the righteous man, the Wisdom of Solomon launches into an extended discourse on the fact that the lives of the righteous end, not with their death, but with “immortality”.
Bergsma and Pitre, p.672. A Catholic Introduction of the Bible.
For too many people, death is the end, but this idea is void of hope. For those of us who die as Christians in a state of Grace, our belief is that we will be able to stand before the beatific vision of God. We need to bind our suffering and persecution on earth to Jesus’ suffering at the scourging and Cross. In doing so, along with taking the opportunity in the reception of the sacraments of the Church, especially Reconciliation and Eucharist in the Mass, we can put our hope in seeing God face to face.
I read so much of social media on how we should not suffer. Excuses for abortion and euthanasia abound without end. But there are many a parent who would give anything for just a chance to hold their baby in their arms for ten minutes. And a son or daughter or grandchild, that would love to hold their parent or grandparent just one more time.
If we suffer today, are we binding that suffering to the Cross? If we are persecuted? Are you willing to do so in order to see God face to face?
Freedom from Sin (Romans 6:3-9)
In today’s second reading, St. Paul is telling the Romans of the way to freedom of sins. We are freed from the stain of original sin by our baptism. In Pope Benedict XVI’s book, Jesus of Nazareth, he says:
The point where he [Jesus] anticipates death has now become the point where we anticipate rising again with him. Paul develops this inner connection in his theology of Baptism (cf. Rom 6), though without explicitly mentioning Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordon.
Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth, pp. 18-19
With our baptism, whether as an infant, young child, or as an adult, we die in our sin. Jesus, who knew no sin, took upon himself the sins of the world and in his baptism sanctified the water. Water can be a terrible thing destroying whatever is in its path. But water also gives us life and nourishes us. It cleanses us and in the sacrament of Baptism, it washes away our original and actual sins.
During the Easter Vigil and on Sundays between Easter and Pentecost, we renew our baptismal vows. When we enter the church, we should make the sign of the cross with the holy water that is made available to us, as a reminder of our baptism.
Remember, that most of us that are baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirt and we are Children of Christ and we share in the same baptism.
The Will of the Father (John 6:37-40)
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us that he was not sent from Heaven to do his own will, but that of the Father. And then he tells us what the Father’s Will is.
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”
John 6:40
It is important to note this: Jesus had free will as well the same as we do. When tempted in the desert after his baptism, he could have given into the three temptations of the Devil. But he didn’t. In each case, Jesus rebukes Satan. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asks God to take away the cup from him, but says “...not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
We have free will and the choices that we make today will determine our eternity later. We need to make choices that are for the greater glory of God. We need to love our neighbor and treat each other with respect. We need to see the value in each and every life, no matter the age, and regardless of if that life has yet been born or is still living within his mother’s womb. We need to remember our corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Yesterday on All Saints Day, I became distracted and almost missed my opportunity to begin the Novena for the Prayers for the Dead and at 9pm in the cemetery there I was, praying for those who have long since been forgotten. I could have just as easily said, well, not this year, but the Holy Spirit urged me to do what I have promised and one of those promises is to pray for the dead.
Today, as you go through your day, how are you going to use your free will? Are you going to do what you want to do, regardless of the consequences? Or are you going to do the Will of the Father?
Prayer for the Deceased (by Blessed John Newman)
God of all souls, Jesus, the lover of souls, I offer You all the deceased who departed with the sign of faith and sleep in peace. I beg You, O Lord and Savior, just as You became man out of Your Mercy for us, so now graciously receive them into Your Presence. Remember, O Lord, that they are Your creatures, created by You, the only, living, and true God. For there is no other God than You, and there is no one who could equal Your works. May their souls rejoice in Your light. Be not mindful of their old sins which they committed out of the excess of their desires, or because of the corrupt habits of their stained nature. Although they had sinned, yet they always strongly believed in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and, before they died, they became reconciled with You through true compunction and the Sacraments of Your Church.
O gracious Lord, I beseech You, be not mindful of their sins or the inexperience of their early 86 years, but, in Your great Mercy, remember them in Your heavenly glory. May the gates of Heaven open before them, may the Angels rejoice with them. May the Archangel Michael lead them to You. May Your Angels come to meet them and lead them to the Heavenly Jerusalem. May they be received by St. Peter, whom You entrusted with the keys to the Heavenly Kingdom. May St. Paul, the chosen vessel, stand by their side. May St. John, the beloved disciple who was granted the grace to share in the Divine mysteries, intercede for them. May all the Apostles, who were endowed with the authority to bind and loose, pray for them. May all the saints and God’s chosen ones who suffered in this world for His Holy Name, show their graciousness to them, so that, released from Purgatory, they may be received into the glory of Your Kingdom where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
Saints of God, come to their aid! Obtain for them release from punishment. Hasten to meet them, angels of the Lord! Receive their souls and lead them to the Lord.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And may perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Amen
Today’s music: