Shepherd and Souls

The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed

All Souls Day

Wisdom 3:1-9 The Hidden Counsels of God ON SUFFERING

* [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 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 The Lord is My 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). (Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB, n.d.)

Romans 5:5-11 Faith, Hope, and Love

* [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).

* [5:1] We have peace: a number of manuscripts, versions, and church Fathers read “Let us have peace”; cf. Rom 14:19.

* [5:7] In the world of Paul’s time the good person is especially one who is magnanimous to others. (Romans, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Romans 6:3-9 Freedom from Sin; Life in God.

* [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).

John 6:37-40 The Bread of Life Discourse.

* [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.

Rev. Kent Beausoleil, SJ, confirms there is a definite ache in the heart planted over the loss of any soul in our lives.  He is grateful for a quote given to him by a friend when he was mourning a particularly hard loss.  This quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran Pastor imprisoned for his resistance of the Nazis in WWII is found in his work Letters and Papers from Prison:

“Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love, and it would be wrong to try to find a substitute; we must simply hold out and see it through. That sounds very hard at first, but at the same time it is a great consolation, for the gap, as long as it remains unfilled, preserves the bonds between us. It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap; God doesn’t fill it, but on the contrary, God keeps it empty and so helps us to keep alive our former communion with each other, even at the cost of pain.”

Don Schwager quotes “Every One Who Believes in Him Will Be Raised up at the Last Day”

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)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:37-40 comments that the Father is so merciful that he even allows everyone who dies “in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” to continue to undergo purification—all so that we can receive eternal life (Catechism, 1030)!

As you pray for all the souls in purgatory at Mass today, ask God to fill you with hope. Let him remind you of his everlasting love for you and for all those who have already passed away. As the celebrant lifts up the host and chalice, thank God for sending Jesus so that “everyone” may see him and believe in him. He has promised to raise us “on the last day” (John 6:40)—and that’s a promise we can put our faith in!

“Lord Jesus, Savior of the world, I place my hope in you!”

Friar Jude Winkler notes that in the Wisdom reading “the souls of the just are in the hands of God” reveals some of the influence of Greek thought, particularly the soul being imprisoned in the body. Death is not punishment but the dead are in the hands of God contrary to the Jewish idea of Sheol. Paul declares to the Romans that Jesus died for us when we were in sin, perhaps not deserving the reconciliation with God through Jesus. In John 6, the Bread of Life Discourse Jesus speaks of himself as the Wisdom Incarnate. It is the Father's will for us to be saved. In the Eucharist we acknowledge a future eschatology will be saved on the last day, more to come and realized eschatology when we come to know Him now.

References

Beausoleil, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/ 

Meditation on John 6:37-40. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/01/1420545/ 

Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1 

Romans, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/5?5 

Romans, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 3, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/6?3 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Net. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/ 

Wisdom, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/wisdom/3?1 

Raise Them Up

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.

Remember Our Departed

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