The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, (All Souls) invite us to connect with our deceased friends and celebrate our faith, hope, and love.
The reading from the Book of Wisdom declares the Destiny 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.
* [3:1–12] The author affirms that, for the righteous, sufferings are not punishments but purification and opportunities to show fidelity, whereas for the wicked suffering is truly a punishment.
* [3:6] Offerings: the image is that of the burnt offering, in which the victim is completely consumed by fire.
* [3:7] Judgment: the Greek episkopē is God’s loving judgment of those who have been faithful to him; the same word is used in 14:11 for the punishment of the wicked at God’s judgment. Cf. also v. 13. (Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 23 praises the Divine Shepherd.
* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10).
* [23:1] My shepherd: God as good shepherd is common in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (Ez 34:11–16; Jn 10:11–18).
* [23:3] Right paths: connotes “right way” and “way of righteousness.”
* [23:5] You set a table before me: this expression occurs in an exodus context in Ps 78:19. In front of my enemies: my enemies see that I am God’s friend and guest. Oil: a perfumed ointment made from olive oil, used especially at banquets (Ps 104:15; Mt 26:7; Lk 7:37, 46; Jn 12:2).
* [23:6] Goodness and mercy: the blessings of God’s covenant with Israel. (Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Letter of Paul to the Romans offers Freedom from Sin through Life in God “We will live with Him”
* [6:1–11] To defend the gospel against the charge that it promotes moral laxity (cf. Rom 3:5–8), Paul expresses himself in the typical style of spirited diatribe. God’s display of generosity or grace is not evoked by sin but, as stated in Rom 5:8 is the expression of God’s love, and this love pledges eternal life to all believers (Rom 5:21). Paul views the present conduct of the believers from the perspective of God’s completed salvation when the body is resurrected and directed totally by the holy Spirit. Through baptism believers share the death of Christ and thereby escape from the grip of sin. Through the resurrection of Christ the power to live anew becomes reality for them, but the fullness of participation in Christ’s resurrection still lies in the future. But life that is lived in dedication to God now is part and parcel of that future. Hence anyone who sincerely claims to be interested in that future will scarcely be able to say, “Let us sin so that grace may prosper” (cf. Rom 6:1). (Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, The Bread of Life Discourse, Jesus declares “I will raise them up on the last day.”
* [6:22–71] Discourse on the bread of life; replacement of the manna. Jn 6:22–34 serve as an introduction, Jn 6:35–59 constitute the discourse proper, Jn 6:60–71 portray the reaction of the disciples and Peter’s confession. (John, CHAPTER 6, n.d.)
Nicky Santos, S.J. shares, on this day, we commemorate all the faithful departed. We give thanks for their lives and the many ways we are touched by our deceased. We remember loved ones who touched our lives.
I would like to share with you a beautiful note that I received from Joe Terrian, a former colleague at the business school at Marquette University in Milwaukee:
The ones we love
Shine for us -
In the stars,
In the glow of the moon,
In the sun each time it rises.The ones we love
shine in us too.
In the good things we do
For the world and each other.
In memories,
Which are never lost,
In our hearts, forever. (Santos, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Whoever sees and believes,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"He has said two things: 'This is the work of God that you should believe in the one whom he has sent,' while here he added, 'whoever sees and believes.' The Jews saw but did not believe; they had the one condition, lacked the other. How could they attain to eternal life without the other? The reason those who saw did not attain eternal life was because they did not also believe. If so, what about us who have believed but have not seen? If it is those two things that earn eternal life, seeing and believing - and whoever is lacking one of them cannot attain to the reward of eternal life - what are we to do? The Jews [who saw him] lacked the one; we the other. They had seeing but lacked believing. We have believing but lack seeing. Well, as regards our having believing and lacking seeing, we have prophetically been declared blessed by the Lord himself just as Thomas, one of the Twelve, was blessed when he felt [Jesus'] scars by touching them." (excerpt from HOLY VIRGINITY 3.1) (Schwager, 2019)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 5:5-11 reminds us that Jesus says that it is the will of his Father “that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life” (John 6:40). This is what God wants for each one of us.
As you offer up prayers today for your deceased family and friends, recall God’s promises. He has made it possible for us to spend eternity with him. This is the hope we can cling to, both for ourselves and for our loved ones who have gone before us. One day we will see all of God’s promises fulfilled. Then our hope will be transformed into the perfect joy and peace that God has always intended for all of us, his beloved sons and daughters.
“Lord, as I pray for my loved ones today, I place my hope in your promises.” (Meditation on Romans 5:5-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler contrasts the understanding of the soul by Greeks and Jews that is presented by the Book of Wisdom. By accepting Baptism we have chosen to die to ourselves for Christ. Friar Jude reminds us that the Gospel of John is mostly realized eschatology but here a future eschatology is expressed. The Eucharist is both realized and promised for the future rather than sacramental forms.
Brian McLaren has a deep love for the natural world and all that it reveals about God and our place on the Earth. In his beautiful Canticle, [Saint Francis] describes how we humans are related to all our kin in the family tree of creation.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Sun,
who brings the light of day;
He’s beautiful and radiant, like you!
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon,
Through all her sister stars.
They’re luminous and wonderful, like you!
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Wind
And Sister Cloud and Storm.
They bring flowers from Mother Earth for you.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Bird;
You gave him wings to fly.
He sings with joy and soars up high for you.
Through Sister Water, Lord, be praised;
She’s humble, useful, too.
She’s precious, clear and pure, O Lord, like you.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
Whose beauty glows at night.
He’s cheerful, powerful, and strong, like you.
Be praised through all those who forgive,
The patient, kind, and brave,
Enduring suffering, trial, and pain, like you.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Death,
Who will embrace all life,
And carry us up to the arms of you. (McLaren, 2023)
We contemplate the Presence of our departed in our lives as we commemorate our union with them in the Communion of Saints.
References
John, CHAPTER 6. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?37
McLaren, B. (2023, November 2). A Song of Praise — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-song-of-praise/
Meditation on Romans 5:5-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/02/819432/
Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1
Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/6?3
Santos, N. (2023, November 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110223.html
Schwager, D. (2019, March 9). Everyone Who Believes in Him Will Be Raised up at the Last Day. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov2a
Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/3?1
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