November 2
All Souls’ Day
First Reading
WIS 3:1-9
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
Second Reading
ROM 6:3-9
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
Alleluia
MT 25:34
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
JN 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.”
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”
Readings & Reflection
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This past weekend we celebrated not only All Saints’ Day but also the commemoration of all souls at the 5PM Mass on Sunday. Today we celebrate the Feast of All Souls’ Day. During the month of November, we commemorate and remember those who we have lost over the last year. This year it is especially difficult during this pandemic, not being able to visit or be with the ones we love.
Our readings today focus on the newness of life and the promise of the Resurrection. In our first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear that the souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them. It is difficult to hear these words and focus on them when we lose someone, but they draw us closer to knowing the Resurrection. Our second reading from St Paul reminds us of the hope we are to put in Christ in difficult times. Today, let us remember those who have gone before us this year, and in a special way let’s take some time to pray for the souls who have died as a result of the pandemic. Eternal rest grant unto your servants O Lord. Let perpetual light shine on them. May their souls and all of the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Fr Matt Rawson
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