A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 6:37-40
Jesus said to the crowds: "Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day."
Reflection : “And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day.”
Today we celebrate All Soul’s Day and remember those who have gone before us. We are called to pray for the dead, not only our loved ones, but for all, no matter their state in life.
The Old Testament has evidence of how the Jews thought of the dead. In 2 Maccabees 12:38-46, during one of Judas’ battles, some of his men perished. Their dead bodies were found wearing amulets to the god of Jamnia. These lost men believed in the protection of a false god and so were not protected by Almighty God during the battle. Upon finding the amulets, the first thing Judas’ soldiers did was praise their just God, then they prayed and offered sacrifice for the fallen. The Jews believed the dead can be raised again and we on earth have the responsibility to make atonements for sin. This is a perfect example of sacrificial love for others.
God the Father blesses us with His Son, the one He sent to do His will. The Father wills all to live in His Kingdom for eternity. Let us spend some time praying and offering sacrifices for the dead, so the will of the Father will be fulfilled through Jesus, who will “raise it on the last day”.
