The Commemoration of All Souls

Wis. 3:1-9, Rom. 5:5-11, Jn 6:37-40. The commemoration of All Souls reminds us of the reality of death and life after death. Somehow, sometime, sooner or later, we will experience the startling reality of death. Today the Church is asking us to pray in a special way for all the deceased, for all those whom we know, but also for all those who died without the news of their disappearance ever being communicated to us. As today's first reading affirms, those who have died are truly in the hands of God because God wants the best for us and will provide more than we can ever imagine. In the second reading, Paul appreciates the fact that God has always loved us, even when we sin and that through baptism we share in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. 

The comforting words of Jesus in today’s Gospel captures the real value of the commemoration of All Souls: “...that I should lose nothing of all he has given me but raise it up at the last day.” The souls in purgatory are not lost; though imperfect, they lived their lives believing in Jesus. The doctrine about 'Purgatory', speaks of the 'Mercy and justice of God' who rewards everyone according to the conduct of ones own life. Since, they are yet to be cleansed from the temporal punishment due to their venial sins, they cannot immediately attain the beatific vision. Through our prayers, mortification and sacrifice of the Mass we can help to purge them off their sins. Our prayers keep us in contact with them and give expression to our ongoing communion with them in the Lord. They await what is promised them: eternal life, and our prayers hasten that for them. It is comforting to know that “Jesus rejects no one the Father has given him” and reassuring also that “The souls of our loved ones are in the hands of God and no torment will ever touch them.”

May the Lord make our hope steadfast as we await the resurrection of all the faithful departed, may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace! Amen!! Remain safe and have a productive week!!!