THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

I will not reject anyone who comes to me.

On the feast of All Souls, we remember our “faithful departed.” This term can sound so remote and impersonal. But the death of a loved one is anything but remote. These are our spouses, our parents, our children, our friends. These are our beloved dead, and our sense of loss can be profound. We may feel as if we have lost all connection with them, and in our grief, we can even doubt God’s goodness.

That is why today’s feast is a gift, both for us and for our deceased loved ones. All Souls’ Day reminds us that because of our baptism, we are members of the body of Christ. Through Jesus, we are eternally united with all our brothers and sisters, both living and deceased. This means that our love and our prayers can reach beyond the grave. By our prayers, we can help those who have gone before us and who are now being purified (CCC, 958, 961–962). And as we pray for them, our own faith can grow stronger.

In today’s Gospel (John 6:37-40), Jesus makes a remarkable promise: “I will not reject anyone who comes to me” (John 6:37). His mercy is so great that if we come to him with humble faith and sincere repentance, he will cleanse us and heal us, no matter what we have done. How comforting! In this promise, we find the courage to pray that our loved ones will experience this healing, even after death. Not only that, but we find the courage to trust that the Lord who welcomes them will also heal and welcome us when we see him face-to-face.

Today, we pray for all who have died, that God’s holy and perfect love will continue to purify them so that they can be fully united with the Lord. As Pope Benedict XVI wrote, may they “become fully open to receiving God and able to take [their] place at the table of the eternal marriage-feast” (Spe Salvi, 46). May nothing hinder them: no sin, no fear or shame, no wounds from the sins of others. Let nothing keep them from Jesus and his healing love.

“Lord Jesus, have mercy on us sinners.”

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