Daily Mass Readings and Daily Meditation ”The Word Among Us” ~ Saturday, 2 November 201

Daily Mass Readings and Daily Meditation ”The Word Among Us” ~ Saturday, 2 November 2013

Meditation: John 6:37  All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out. 38  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39  This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 40  This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”(Messianic WEB)

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

I shall raise him on the last day. (John 6:40)

A young man whose mother had recently died was walking down the street one day when he spied a newspaper that grabbed his attention. One of the headlines was a name—the same name as his mother’s. On another day, he walked into a restaurant and heard a song playing. It was his mother’s favorite song. He began to think that these two incidents were much more than coincidences. They were reminders to him that God was taking care of his mom—and that his mother was still watching over him!

Stories like these are more commonplace than you may think. It seems that God enjoys sending us reminders of our loved ones who have gone to be with him. And why not? It’s only natural that the One who created us and sustains us should want to comfort us as well.

We can also take comfort in the knowledge that God does not want any one of his children to be lost (John 6:39). His plans for all of us extend beyond this life and into eternity.

Today, on the feast of All Souls, we remember God’s great mercy on all our loved ones who have died. This can be a tender subject for us, especially if we have recently lost someone close to us. The pain of that loss may still be fresh in our hearts. So it is helpful to know that “the souls of the just are in the hand of God” (Wisdom 3:1). He has them, and even if they still need some purification, they are on the path to heaven.

As you remember those you have lost, remember the cross of Christ. Thank Jesus for conquering death, rising victorious, and opening the gates of heaven. If you are still grieving or if today’s observance brings up old memories, let the message of the cross give you comfort and peace. Hold fast to Jesus’ promise. Rejoice in his power to raise us all up to be in his presence.

“Lord, shine your everlasting light on all my departed loved ones. May they find rest in your loving arms. Thank you for giving everything so that we can live forever with you in heaven!” AMEN!

Wisdom 3:THE HIDDEN COUNSELS OF GOD*

A. ON SUFFERING*

1 The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,a

and no torment shall touch them.

2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;

and their passing away was thought an affliction

3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.b

4 For if to others, indeed, they seem punished,

yet is their hope full of immortality;

5 Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,

because God tried them

and found them worthy of himself.c

6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them,

and as sacrificial offerings* he took them to himself.d

7 In the time of their judgment* they shall shine

and dart about as sparks through stubble;e

8 They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,

and the LORD shall be their King forever.f

9 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,g

and his care is with the elect.(New American Bible)

Psalm 23:A Psalm by David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd:

I shall lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul.

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

Your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil.

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever.(Messianic WEB)

Romans 5:5 and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Messiah died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die. 8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.

11 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.(Messianic WEB)

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