November 2, 2017

All Souls

November 2, 2017:  All Souls Day
Commemoration of all the faithful departed

 In memory of Maria Trinidad Hernandez

See 15 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen
For 1st reading

For Psalm 23
For Psalm 25 (another option for today)
For Psalm 27 (3rd option for today)

For the gospel
Pope Francis homily

 Wars only produce cemeteries and death.  I came to a place where thousands died in bloody combat to appeal to the Lord to stop war.  People still trying to enter into conflict end up destroying themselves and everything.  Never forget the tears wept by those who have lost loved ones at war.  Humanity hasn't learned and seems not to want to.  Pray for all caught up in conflict, many of whom are dying every day in this piecemeal war, and remember the innocent children also paying the price.  Lord, give us the grace to weep.

 Read
  • Wis 3:1-9  The souls of the just are in God's hands.  They seemed dead and their going from us destruction, but they're at peace, have hope, and will be blessed.  God proved them, found them worthy, and shall be their King.  They'll shine, judge, rule, and abide with Lord.
  • Ps 23:1-6  "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." or "If I should walk in the valley of darkness, no evil would I fear, for you are there with me."  He's beside me, giving me rest, courage, refreshment, and guidance.  I fear no evil.  Kindness follows me; I'll dwell in God's house forever.
  • Rom 5:5-11  Hope doesn't disappoint, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Spirit.  God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since we're justified by his blood, we'll be saved through him.  The death of God's son reconciled us to God while we were enemies; how much more will he save us now that we're reconciled.
  • Rom 6:3-9  We were baptized into Christ's death, buried with him so we, like he, might have new life.  United with him in death, we'll be united with him in the resurrection.  We were crucified with him so we might no longer be slaves to sin.  We who have died with Christ believe we'll live with him.   Christ, raised, dies no more; death has no power over him.
  • Jn 6:37-40  “Everything the Father gives me will come to me, and I won't reject anyone who comes to me.  The Father wants me to raise what he gave me to life.”
Other options
  • Is 25:6-9  The Lord will prepare a banquet, remove the mourning veil, destroy Death, wipe away tears, and take away shame.  We'll exult that God in whom we hoped saved us.
  • Ps 27:1,4,7-9,13-14  "The Lord is my light and my help." or "I believe that I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living."
  • Rom 5:17-21  Christ will bring everyone life and make them justified.
  • Rom 8:14-23  The spirit you received makes us cry out, "Abba, Father!"  We're are heirs of God, sharing Christ's sufferings to share his glory.  We groan as we wait for our bodies to be set free.
  • Rom 8:31-35,37-39  God who gave up his son to benefit us won't refuse anything he can give.  Nothing can come between us and God's love made visible in Christ.
  • 1 Cor 15:51-57  The dead will be raised; we'll be changed.  Death will be swallowed up in victory.  Thank God for victory through Christ.
  • 2 Cor 4:14-5:1  God will raise us with Jesus and put us all by his side.  Our inner self is renewed day by day. Our troubles train us for eternal glory.  We only have eyes for invisible, eternal things.  God built us an everlasting home.  
  • 2 Cor 5:1,6-10  God built us an everlasting home.  We who walk in faith are confident we'll make our home with the Lord.  We'll get what we deserve for what we do.
  • Phil 3:20-21  Our homeland is in heaven.  Christ will transfigure our bodies into copies of his.
  • 2 Tm 2:8-13  "Jesus Christ risen from the dead"  I bear my hardships; they can't chain God’s news.  "If we've died with him and hold firm, we'll live and reign with him.  He's always faithful."
  • 1 Jn 3:1-2  We're God's children.  We'll see God as he is and be like him.
  • 1 Jn 3:14-16  We can be sure we've passed from death to life because we love others.   As Christ gave up his life for us, we ought to give up our lives for others.
  • Mt 11:25-30  "Come to me, you who labor and are burdened.  Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble, and you'll find rest.  My yoke is easy, my burden light."
Reflect
  • Creighton:  The Apostles deeply grieved Jesus’ death, and Jesus grieved Lazarus's death.  Loss and grief are part of our humanity.  We must enter it, express our love, and care for  the grieving, supporting them with food, prayer, and attentiveness.  The communion of saints, here and in heaven, who pray for, love, and support us; we give to and receive from it.  Pray for the dead, and be confident they're praying for us.  We grieve the transition but must allow the Communion of Saints to be real for us....
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Praying for the dead":  "Their hope full of immortality."  Since we're encouraged to pray for the dead, but those in heaven or hell don't benefit from our prayers, it must be that not everyone goes to heaven or hell when they die.  We're praying for people in the place of purification we call purgatory.  Jesus suggests a place other than heaven or hell; he "preached to the spirits in prison," The Corinthians had themselves baptized on behalf of the dead.  Jesus taught the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit wouldn't be forgiven "in this age or the age to come."  If this suggests some sins can be forgiven after death, then there must be a place there besides heaven and hell.  We know from early Christian art that the early Church prayed for the dead.  So should we....
    The Day of the Dead/ Bouguereau
  • Passionist:  Today's Rom 6 reading comes out of the Christian conviction that the life we've entered into through baptism will never die.  By being joined to Christ in baptism, we're also joined to his Resurrection. We were buried with him through baptism, so that, as Christ was raised, we might live a new life.  This conviction fueled early Christians to die for the gospel's sake.  Many Christians have embraced the lesson of the Cross, dying to self to live as a disciple and witness to the gospel in their lives.  For all of us, dying will overtake us, and we'll abandon ourselves into our Creator's loving arms and the saints who will come to welcome us.  We may remember our deceased loved ones today, but the eternal light that shines for them is the same light that leads us home to God.
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Every one who believes will be raised up":  We desire everlasting life and happiness; thank God the life he gives us lasts beyond our physical death.  Job trusted God despite his suffering:  "I know my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been destroyed, in my flesh I shall see God...."  God strengthened Job and rewarded him for his trust and hope.  King David also expressed hope in everlasting life:  "My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead nor let your faithful one see decay.  You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence...."  Jesus promised everlasting life to all who see and believe in him.  The Lord makes his presence known to us in his word, the breaking of the bread, and his church.  The Lord reveals himself to those who seek him with faith....  God offers us faith through his Son Jesus Christ; we couldn't approach God if he didn't draw us to him.  The Lord gives us his Holy Spirit who opens us to hear God and respond with trust and submission. The Spirit is the key to growth in faith.  "I believe, to understand; and I understand, better to believe" (Augustine).  Those who accept Jesus and submit to his word will be raised up when he comes again.
Dress legend
  • 'Peace sign' tie bar:  The souls of the just are in peace (1st reading)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  The just shall rule over peoples (1st reading)
  • Gold-colored accoutrements:  As gold in the furnace, God proved them (1st reading)
  • 'Sheep' bar:  The Lord is my shepherd (psalm)
  • Green suspenders:  In verdant pastures he gives me repose (psalm); Ordinary Time (season)
  • White and blue in shirt:  White, a liturgical color of today (violet and black are others); blue, for restful waters (psalm)
  • 'Silverware' bar:  You spread the table before me (psalm)
  • 'Hand' tie pin:  The souls of the just are in God's hand... (1st reading)
  • 'Crown' tie bar:  The Lord shall be their King forever. (1st reading)
  • 'Cars on roads' tie:  The Lord guides me in right paths (psalm, trumping 'cups' //tie for "my cup overflows")
  • 'Heart' pin:  God's love has been poured into our hearts... (2nd reading)
  • 'Dove' pin:  ...through the Holy Spirit (2nd reading)
  • Crucifix:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (2nd reading)
  • 'Blood drop' pin:  We're justified by Christ's blood (2nd reading)
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