The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today commemorate the lives of those who have died and invite us to remember the connection we have with them as we continue to be grateful for their presence.
The Book of Wisdom declares the Destiny of the Righteous.
* [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 declares Freedom from Sin and proclaims Life in God where death no longer has dominion.
* [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, Jesus promises to Raise Them Up.
* [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. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Larry Gillick, S.J. comments that we have all been to wake and funerals and have listened to the “goodness” as lived in each of the departed.
Often I think to myself, “Too bad she/he wasn’t here to receive such affirmations.” Such “goodness” lived in such human containers! That “goodness”, that gift was shared through him/her with both those present at this funeral, but in so many ways through this person’s life. We were created by God once and then so many other times through that same “Goodness”. This “Goodness” continues in our lives in God’s “Goodness” within us and it cannot be lost, but collected for further distribution. (Gillick, 2024)
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, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 5:5-11 comments that as we remember those who have died, let’s ponder this hope that doesn’t disappoint. Let’s ponder this hope that is based on the powerful, unchanging love of God. That love, “poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,” can help us persevere through the greatest hardships, even death (Romans 5:5).
Today, you may be grieving the loss of a loved one or feeling the sting of disappointment that something didn’t go the way you had hoped. Take Paul’s words to heart: Jesus Christ “died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:15, emphasis added). That “for all” includes your loved ones! You can pray for their souls to be purified and pray for their resurrection with Christ. And you can ask Jesus to raise you up from whatever frustration or challenge you are facing.
God’s love, poured into our hearts, is a love you can hold onto through every joyful and sorrowful season of life. This love is given so that you can have hope—the hope that doesn’t disappoint.
“Thank you, Jesus, for your promise of salvation to all who believe. Lord, come and strengthen my hope in you!” (Meditation on Romans 5:5-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that the Book of Wisdom, written in Greek, is one of the last books of the Hebrew Testament in the Catholic and Orthodox canon. It reflects Greek influence in the understanding of body and soul. Paul expresses how we are baptized into the death of Christ and the connection to worldliness and concupiscence. Friar Jude notes the unusual expression of a future eschatology in the passage from John, who like Luke mostly proclaim a realized eschatology.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces embodiment teacher and therapist Prentis Hemphill who names courage as an essential element for positive change.
The courage we need is the courage to fail and stay. The courage to reimagine every aspect of our social relations. The courage to relinquish grasping what was and build piece by piece a new structure for how and what we produce. The courage to exit the safety of our dying delusions. The courage to reach for one another. The courage to be honest. The courage to ask questions. The courage to listen. The courage to feel uncomfortable. The courage to be a part of the circle, to be fed by and to feed. The courage to surrender. The courage to know when our time is over and our roles have shifted. The courage to love and be loved…. (Rohr, n.d.)
We remember and celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have died and express gratitude for the love that connects us eternally with them.
References
Gillick, L. (2024, November 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110224.html
John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?37
Meditation on Romans 5:5-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/11/02/1121188/
Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Seeking the Public Good: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/seeking-the-public-good-weekly-summary/
Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/6?3
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Every One Who Believes in Him Will Be Raised up at the Last Day. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=nov2a
Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/3?1
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