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 

Blessed for Eternity

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, the Solemnity of All Saints, challenge us to contemplate the nature of being “Blessed” in our relationship with Christ and the world and how our action confirms our journey as saints.

Blessed Saints

In the reading from the Book of Revelation the Multitude from Every Nation appears.

* [7:1–17] An interlude of two visions precedes the breaking of the seventh seal, just as two more will separate the sixth and seventh trumpets (Rev 10). In the first vision (Rev 7:1–8), the elect receive the seal of the living God as protection against the coming cataclysm; cf. Rev 14:1; Ez 9:4–6; 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30. The second vision (Rev 7:9–17) portrays the faithful Christians before God’s throne to encourage those on earth to persevere to the end, even to death.

* [7:4–9] One hundred and forty-four thousand: the square of twelve (the number of Israel’s tribes) multiplied by a thousand, symbolic of the new Israel (cf. Rev 14:1–5; Gal 6:16; Jas 1:1) that embraces people from every nation, race, people, and tongue (Rev 7:9). (Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 24 is a prayer for Entrance into the Temple.

* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the reading from the First Letter of John, we are proclaimed as Children of God.

* [3:1–3] The greatest sign of God’s love is the gift of his Son (Jn 3:16) that has made Christians true children of God. This relationship is a present reality and also part of the life to come; true knowledge of God will ultimately be gained, and Christians prepare themselves now by virtuous lives in imitation of the Son. (1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents the Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount.

* [5:3–12] The form Blessed are (is) occurs frequently in the Old Testament in the Wisdom literature and in the psalms. Although modified by Matthew, the first, second, fourth, and ninth beatitudes have Lucan parallels (Mt 5:3 // Lk 6:20; Mt 5:4 // Lk 6:21b; Mt 5:6 // Lk 6:21a; Mt 5:11–12 // Lk 5:22–23). The others were added by the evangelist and are probably his own composition. A few manuscripts, Western and Alexandrian, and many versions and patristic quotations give the second and third beatitudes in inverted order.

* [5:3] The poor in spirit: in the Old Testament, the poor (’anāwîm) are those who are without material possessions and whose confidence is in God (see Is 61:1; Zep 2:3; in the NAB the word is translated lowly and humble, respectively, in those texts). Matthew added in spirit in order either to indicate that only the devout poor were meant or to extend the beatitude to all, of whatever social rank, who recognized their complete dependence on God. The same phrase poor in spirit is found in the Qumran literature (1QM 14:7).

* [5:4] Cf. Is 61:2, “(The Lord has sent me)…to comfort all who mourn.” They will be comforted: here the passive is a “theological passive” equivalent to the active “God will comfort them”; so also in Mt 5:6, 7.

* [5:5] Cf. Ps 37:11, “…the meek shall possess the land.” In the psalm “the land” means the land of Palestine; here it means the kingdom.

* [5:6] For righteousness: a Matthean addition. For the meaning of righteousness here, see note on Mt 3:14–15.

* [5:8] Cf. Ps 24:4. Only one “whose heart is clean” can take part in the temple worship. To be with God in the temple is described in Ps 42:3 as “beholding his face,” but here the promise to the clean of heart is that they will see God not in the temple but in the coming kingdom.

* [5:10] Righteousness here, as usually in Matthew, means conduct in conformity with God’s will.

* [5:12] The prophets who were before you: the disciples of Jesus stand in the line of the persecuted prophets of Israel. Some would see the expression as indicating also that Matthew considered all Christian disciples as prophets. (Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Mike Cherney comments that the commandments of the Old Testament are a clear set of rules, the vast majority of which tell one what specifically to avoid. They present very little difficulty for a materialistic society, Roman or modern. They place few constraints on those self-centered individuals who are prone to take advantage of others.

I can picture the shock and dismay of the disciples as Jesus presents the Beatitudes. This message that elevates the poor, the sad, the meek, and the merciful seems to invert the social order. I find it interesting that Jesus goes up the mountain, away from the crowds when he delivers this (what I find to be enigmatic) message. Although I have heard these passages many times, this is the first time I noticed that it was not delivered to the masses. (This prompted me to look at the Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s Gospel. There, it was also given to the disciples rather than the crowds.) It strikes me that this is the text for All Saints Day. This is the message guiding me toward salvation, guiding me toward the beatific vision. (Cherney, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes “Perfect blessedness is humility of spirit,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).

"'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' The Lord taught by way of example that the glory of human ambition must be left behind when he said, 'The Lord your God shall you adore and him only shall you serve' (Matthew 4:10). And when he announced through the prophets that he would choose a people humble and in awe of his words [Isaiah 66:2], he introduced the perfect Beatitude as humility of spirit. Therefore he defines those who are inspired as people aware that they are in possession of the heavenly kingdom... Nothing belongs to anyone as being properly one's own, but all have the same things by the gift of a single parent. They have been given the first things needed to come into life and have been supplied with the means to use them." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 4.2) (Schwager, 2019)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 comments that responding to the gift of salvation, day in and day out, is what made the saints holy. And it’s what prepares us to join the heavenly host. But it’s not easy. The saints in our first reading were faithful to Christ to the point of martyrdom, washing their robes in the “Blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). For our part, our response to God might be to turn from a deeply-rooted pattern of sin, to stay faithful when we’re tempted, or to give more of ourselves than we might think we can.

As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Holiness is not the luxury of a few, but a simple duty for you and me.” Let’s set our sights on that great multitude that cannot be counted. Let’s do everything we can to be faithful so that, with God’s grace, we can become saints!

“Almighty God, you have invited me to be part of the heavenly host. Help me respond to your invitation today and every day.” (Meditation on Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the connection of the seal in Revelation to Ezekiel and the Hebrew Tau for observant Jews to be connected to the Law. The 144,000 number is symbolic of the tribes of Israel and the Apostles multiplied a 1000 times over. Friar Jude reminds us of how poverty of spirit, humility, mourning, single mindedness, and suffering are paths to being blessed.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Potawatomi author Kaitlin Curtice who invites us to consider how we pray in, for, and with nature.

Growing up in the Baptist tradition, I heard little mention of communicating with God through the earth. On Sundays, we would often hear sermons about how prayer is something we should just try harder at, instead of something we enter into. When I began to pray in Potawatomi, I understood something different about prayer—that it is a holistic act that involves all of me, and all of the creatures around me, communing with God.

If we truly believe that God surrounds us, we believe that prayer is an everyday experience of being alive…. When you step outside and engage with the world in quiet listening, prayer will happen, and it will take on its own way of being for you. Perhaps prayer is just poetry, and we are living the expressions of what it means to be human. This is why Creator gave us gifts to remember.… When I burn sage or lay tobacco down, I know that I am tethered to a love that has remained steady throughout the centuries and that always calls me back to its own sacredness. And that sacredness will always lead me back out to the world to do the work of love. (Rohr, 2023)

We move from the activity of “All Hallow’s Eve” to consider the piety, study, and action that move us to live in the pattern of All Saints who embrace the message of Jesus in the Beatitudes.

References

Cherney, M. (2023, November 1). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110123.html 

Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?1 

Meditation on Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/01/819093/ 

1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3?1 

Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1 

Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/7?2 

Rohr, R. (2023, November 1). Our Natural Ancestors — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/our-natural-ancestors/ 

Schwager, D. (2019, March 9). Rejoice and Be Glad, for Your Reward Is Great in Heaven. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov1a