The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
(All Souls)
Today the Church dedicates an entire day to pray especially for the deceased. We may forget that even when a person dies, they are still a part of the Church. We pray for the dead at every Mass, mentioning them specifically in the Eucharistic prayer, for we believe that what is done at Mass benefits the Church throughout time and space: members here on Earth, and those beyond.
The death of a loved one, or consideration of our own mortality, can deeply challenge our own faith. But our Gospel today offers us tremendous comfort: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me…” and we know this. When we die, we go to stand before Christ our Judge. But then He says, “…and I will not reject anyone who comes to me…” His desire is to embrace every soul, to welcome each one of us into His Father’s House where He has painstakingly prepared a place for us (John 14:2), if only all those who have seen the Son will believe in Him, and come to Him having followed, served, and loved Him.
Let us pray for our dearly departed, and never, ever lose hope. For if we have loved them so much, how much more so does Jesus love them?