All Souls’ Day
Wisdom 3:1-9, Psalm 23, Romans 5:5-11, Luke 7:11-17
Today, we gather to commemorate All Souls’ Day, honoring the faithful departed. Our psalmist’s query, “When can I enter and see the face of God?” (Psalm 42:2), resonates within us, for every soul yearns to be with God.
The Church’s tradition of praying for the dead originates from Jesus’ promise of eternal life and our faith in the communion of saints. Scripture supports this practice in 2 Maccabees 12:39-45 and 2 Timothy 1:18.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ compassion is evident as he raises the widow’s son (Luke 7:11-17) and Lazarus (John 11:43). These miracles inspire us to pray for the deceased, that they may attain eternal life.
As we reflect on mortality, weakness, and the transience of life, we find hope in the resurrection. Our prayers and faith assist the souls of the faithful departed in their journey towards the Beatific Vision.
Let us pray:
Listen kindly to our prayers, O Lord, and, as our faith in your Son, raised from the dead, is deepened, so may our hope of resurrection for your departed servants also find new strength. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
