Consoled by the plan of God

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed present wisdom about the hope we share in Jesus promise not to lose what the Father has given Him.

Life beyond

The Book of Wisdom states that immortality is the reward of the righteous.

* [3:1–4:19] The central section of chaps. 1–6. The author begins by stating that immortality is the reward of the righteous, and then in the light of that belief comments on three points of the traditional discussion of the problem of retribution (suffering, childlessness, early death) each of which was often seen as a divine punishment.

Paul, in the Letter to the Romans, declares that Christian liberation will first find completion in the believer’s resurrection.

* [5:1–11] Popular piety frequently construed reverses and troubles as punishment for sin; cf. Jn 9:2. Paul therefore assures believers that God’s justifying action in Jesus Christ is a declaration of peace. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ displays God’s initiative in certifying humanity for unimpeded access into the divine presence. Reconciliation is God’s gift of pardon to the entire human race. Through faith one benefits personally from this pardon or, in Paul’s term, is justified. The ultimate aim of God is to liberate believers from the pre-Christian self as described in Rom 1–3. Since this liberation will first find completion in the believer’s resurrection, salvation is described as future in Rom 5:10. Because this fullness of salvation belongs to the future it is called the Christian hope. Paul’s Greek term for hope does not, however, suggest a note of uncertainty, to the effect: “I wonder whether God really means it.” Rather, God’s promise in the gospel fills believers with expectation and anticipation for the climactic gift of unalloyed commitment in the holy Spirit to the performance of the will of God. The persecutions that attend Christian commitment are to teach believers patience and to strengthen this hope, which will not disappoint them because the holy Spirit dwells in their hearts and imbues them with God’s love (Rom 5:5).

In the “bread of Life” discourse from the Gospel of John, Jesus assures us of that the will of God is that He not lose anyone given Him by the Father.

* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51.

Don Driscoll, S.J. shares what he always believed about All Souls Day. It's not simply a call to pray for our deceased loved ones. It's also an awakening to our own mortality.

Our beloved pastor, Fr. John Ireland Gallery, had given a  home to two refugee priests from different Communist countries.  Both men had experienced similar horrifying tortures and punishments during their years of imprisonment.  But their most painful suffering occurred when on a given evening each was told, "This is your last meal. Tomorrow you DIE!"  The following morning they were led before a firing squad, blindfolded, and then trembled as they heard the command: "Ready, aim, fire!"  How stunned they were to discover they were still alive. The soldiers had been ordered to shoot above the heads of the two priests. The Communists repeated this charade 15 times over a period of 10 months.  What most touched me as these two men shared their stories with me is that in befriending "Sister Death," as St. Francis called her, they had no more fear of death. But even more inspiring was their willingness to forgive their captors and their ability to live joyfully in the present moment.  Both of these men were fully alive by living where God dwells, in the NOW of our lives.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Wisdom 3:1-9 invites us to consider the Mexican celebration of Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) that might seem confusing at first glance. Is it a spooky holiday full of skeletons, or is it a heartwarming tribute to family members who have gone before us? It’s no coincidence that the Day of the Dead culminates on November 2. It has a lot in common with today’s commemoration of all the faithful departed.

They spring from our human impulse to stay connected and to honor our loved ones.
That desire for connection comes from our confidence that even though death cannot be avoided, it’s not the end of the story. Losing a loved one can be devastating, but our faith tells us that “the souls of the just are in the hand of God” (Wisdom 3:1). Even if they are “chastised a little,” we believe “they shall be greatly blessed” (3:5). That’s because we were made for immortality. We all long to share the joy of heaven with God. We remember the dead because our memories keep them close in our hearts—and because it keeps heaven close to our hearts

The words of Psalm 23 speak of the care of God in shepherding His people.

Friar Jude Winkler examines the sense of soul in Greek and Hebrew Wisdom. Dying for a good person is a possibility raised by Paul with the Romans. Friar Jude comments on the nature of sheep and goats in the alternate reading from Matthew 25:31-46 .

James Finley spiritual practice is to look within for the places that are blocking my ability to experience the flow of an immense tenderness that is endlessly giving itself to me in all situations.

The Dark Night of the Soul as described by John of the Cross is actually a tender, merciful art form of love. It very mysteriously dislodges us from whatever is keeping us in the stuck places. Sometimes it is disarmingly joyful and sometimes it is disarmingly painful; but if we lean into it and move with its rhythm, love charts its own course and brings us to a deep understanding of God’s love.
Thomas Merton once said we spend most of our lives under water. Every so often our head clears the surface and we look around and get our bearings. Then blik, we go back under again. In the moments when we get our bearings, we realize, “Oh my God! Look how endlessly trustworthy life is! Look at the God-given, godly nature of simple things!”

Our contemplation today is of the mystery of death and how our commemoration of the departed brings life.

References

(n.d.). Wisdom chapter 3 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/3

(n.d.). Romans chapter 5 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/romans/5

(n.d.). John chapter 6 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from http://www.usccb.org/bible/john/6:9

(n.d.). Creighton U Daily Reflections .... Retrieved November 2, 2018, from http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/daily.html

(n.d.). Meditations - The Word Among Us. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from https://wau.org/meditations/

(n.d.). Daily Meditations Archive - Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 2, 2018, from https://cac.org/richard-rohr/daily-meditations/daily-meditations-archive/