All Souls
Today, as we commemorate All Souls’ Day, we bring before the Lord the memory of all our departed loved ones. We pray for their eternal rest, trusting in the mercy of God who is the Lord of life.
In the Gospel, Jesus comes to a town called Nain, a small village about six miles from Nazareth. He sees a funeral procession of a young man who had died, and his mother, a widow, is heartbroken. She had lost her only son and without a husband she has lost all means of support. Jesus can see her pain and was deeply moved. This moment shows us the heart of Jesus, perhaps He sees in the situation a foreshadowing of the sorrow of his own mother, at His pending death on the cross. As the Lord of life, He doesn’t ignore the situation, He steps into it. He brings comfort, healing, and hope. His word brings life, even in the face of death.
Today, we remember that death is not the end. Jesus has conquered death through His Resurrection. The raising of the widow’s son reminds us that Jesus has power over death and He promises eternal life to those who believe in Him.
On this feast of the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, we pray for all the souls who are on their final journey towards Heaven.
We ask the Lord to guide them, and to bring them to the doors of paradise through the intercession of All the Saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We remember all our loved ones who have died, also for all the Holy Souls who have no one to pray for them.
As Christians we all belong in the One Body of Christ, a community that is visible and invisible. Our prayers for the dead are always heard, and it helps them to move closer to the Lord, bringing them peace and eternal rest to their immortal souls.
During our Mass today, we place all our petitions upon the altar, remembering all the people currently listed in our Holy Souls box, our family members, friends, teachers, work colleagues, our war dead and all the parishioners in our diocese who have gone before us, they will always remain with us, in the depths of our inmost hearts.
Let us spend a moment of silence today as we bring our thoughts to mind, remembering the old good times, the happy times, when they were still with us, memories that we will always treasure and hold most dear.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen.
Rev. Fr Philip Wrigley's Blog 