THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS’ DAY)

Hope does not disappoint.

Hope. It’s a common thread through all of today’s readings. And it’s something we have in common with the souls in purgatory: as we await the joys of heaven, we place our hope in the promises of Christ. In other words, we have confidence that God will do what he says he will do. Today, on the feast of All Souls, let’s focus on the promises contained in today’s readings so that we can pray for our deceased loved ones with hope in our hearts.

• The author of the Book of Wisdom tells us that even after bodily death, our souls “are in the hand of God” (3:1). In the meantime, as we await the final resurrection, we will still experience his grace and mercy as we “abide with him in love” (3:9).

• The responsorial psalm pictures God as a shepherd who leads and guides us. We have nothing to fear because he walks with us in the “dark valley” and is always at our side (Psalm 23:4).

• 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 St. Paul also reminds us today, “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5). Why? Because when the Spirit reveals to us how much our Father loves us, we find it easier to believe in his promises. God loved us so much that he sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross so that we could be reconciled to him (5:10). We can trust that we, and our loved ones, can be forgiven even for those sins we are most ashamed of!

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.”

Wisdom 3:1-9
Psalm 23:1-6
John 6:37-40
Romans 5:5-11