Sacred Scripture
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, only about two miles away. And many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him; but Mary sat at home. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him, “I know he will rise, in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” (John 11:17-27)
Reflection
Today we remember those who have passed from this life with faith, hope and trust in the promise of eternal life. Yesterday we remembered all the name saints but today we reflect upon those who we know, those who have been part of our lives. Life is a gift from God and nothing that God gives or does is ever wasted. Whether our lives did not make it out of the womb or we live to be 110, we are important in God’s eyes. It’s not quantity and is not even quality; it’s about being – being a child of God.
Our lives are a reflection of God and his love. Those who have passed whom we remember today reflected that love. Whether one month, six months, a year, 10 or even 50 years…they live on in our minds and hearts. They have touched us, formed us and changed us. But also know that we have touched them, formed them and changed them. Our love for them is what helps them through life and into eternal life. The bonds of humanity are not broken by death. We remember them, and they still remember us while enjoying the fruits of eternal life. Their love for you helps you with this life as you journey to eternal life. Sadness, sorrow, grief may fill us today, but that is a reminder of their presence and love in our lives.
Our life today is a taste of God’s love, and it is a classroom to learn how to live as a child of God.
All Souls day is for us. It is our day. Today touches us personally. Yes, it is a day of mixed emotions. It is our day to remember, to miss, but also to be joyful. We also reflect on our own existence. Each of us is a soul…a soul on its journey. We are still walking on that journey to become all that we were meant to be – a child of God enjoying eternal life with him.
Prayer of The Day
Father, in your abundant love, you give us the gift of life. Strengthen our faith in the resurrection of your Son, and our hope of rising to new life in him. To us who are living, grant forgiveness; to all who have died, your light and peace. May Christ’s Resurrection console all who mourn and fill us with hope that we will live forever with him in joy. Amen.
Daily Note
The greatest freedom a person can have is to let go of their soul, placing it in the hands of Jesus Christ safe and secure. We struggle in this life so much because we are afraid to completely trust Jesus. We worry and are anxious about so many things when the real and most important commodity we possess is our soul. As Jesus entrusted Himself to His Father we must entrust ourselves to Jesus. Believing in the resurrection of Christ leads us to trust Jesus with our soul when we die. I pray today that this truth from John will remind us that Jesus is Lord of the resurrection, His and ours. Jesus can be trusted…do you believe this?
