All Souls Day

 All Souls Day November 02, 2025

Wis 3:1-9c; Ps 27; Rom 5:5-11/ Rom 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40

(image courtesy: Google)

A story is told of a King who had a lovely flower garden. His gardener, who tended it, took great pains to make the garden an exotic paradise. One morning the gardener went into the garden to visit his favourite flowers. To his dismay he discovered that one of his choicest flowers had been cut from its stem. Soon he saw that the most beautiful flower from each plot of the garden were missing. Filled with anxiety and anger, he hurried to his fellow workers and demanded: “Who stole my priceless treasures?”

One of his helpers replied, “The King came into his garden this morning, picked those flowers himself, and took them into his house. I guess he wanted to give the flowers the rightful place of beauty in his palace.” The gardener, though sad, then realized that he had no reason to be concerned… because it was perfectly right for his master to pick some of his own prized blossoms. Though he missed his lovely flowers… he also realized, he was only a caretaker. The flowers, in the true sense, belonged to the King, and to him alone!

On this day a question that comes to our mind – Where are our loved ones who have gone before us? The king has given them a rightful place of beauty in his palace.

On this day the Church commemorates All Souls Day, a day dedicated to remembering and praying for the souls of the faithful departed. This observance invites us to reflect on the mystery of death, the hope of resurrection, and the profound connection we share with those who have gone before us. It is a day that encourages us to contemplate our own mortality, and the eternal life promised to us through Christ.

All Souls Day is rooted in the belief in purgatory, a state of purification for souls who have died in grace but still need to be purified before entering heaven. The Church teaches that our prayers, particularly the offering of the Eucharist, can assist these souls on their journey. This day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to care for one another, even beyond death, and to maintain a bond of love and remembrance.

As we gather today, we are called to reflect on the lives of those we have lost. Each soul represents a unique story, a journey of faith, love, and struggle. In remembering them, we honour their legacy and acknowledge the impact they had on our lives. We are reminded that death is not the end but a transition to a new beginning.

The readings today give us a rich foundation for our reflections. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-9), we hear that "the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them." This passage reassures us that those who have lived righteously are embraced by God’s love and mercy. It invites us to trust in God’s promise of eternal life and to find comfort in the knowledge that our loved ones are at peace.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” This is not naïve optimism; it is a hope rooted in the cross.

Christ entered into death so that death would lose its power. By His passion, death, and resurrection, He transformed what was once the ultimate defeat into the path to eternal life. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” Paul says. That is the foundation of our hope for the dead.

We believe that God’s mercy extends beyond the grave. The souls we pray for today may still be undergoing purification, but they are not lost. They are enveloped in divine love. And as we offer the Eucharist for them, we participate in that mystery of mercy. Our prayers, our sacrifices, our love, all can help them draw closer to the fullness of God’s presence.

St. Augustine beautifully said, “Lord, You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” The souls we remember today are on that journey toward rest, and our prayers accompany them.

The Gospel offers further consolation. Jesus tells His disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places." This promise of a place prepared for us in heaven is a source of hope. It reminds us that our earthly existence is temporary and that we are destined for something greater.

On this day, we are called to remember those who have touched our lives and to pray for their souls. Our prayers are an expression of love and solidarity. They remind us that we are part of a larger community, the communion of saints, which transcends time and space. When we pray for the deceased, we affirm our belief in the interconnectedness of all believers, living and dead.

As we reflect on our loved ones, we may recall their virtues, their struggles, and the lessons they imparted to us. Each memory is a thread in the tapestry of our lives, woven together by love and shared experiences. In honouring their memory, we also recognize the impact they had on our faith journey.

The Importance of Our Own Spiritual Lives

All Souls Day also serves as a touching reminder of our own spiritual lives. It invites us to examine our relationship with God and to consider how we are living out our faith. Are we nurturing our spiritual lives? Are we striving to live in accordance with God’s will? The lives of the saints and our departed loved ones can inspire us to deepen our commitment to our faith.

In reflecting on our mortality, we are encouraged to live each day with purpose and intention. We are reminded that our actions have eternal consequences. The choices we make today can impact not only our own souls but also the souls of those around us. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s love and mercy in the world.

At the heart of All Souls Day is the hope of resurrection. As Christians, we believe that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and death. Through His sacrifice, we are offered the promise of a new life.

In our prayers for the deceased, we express our hope that they have entered into the fullness of God’s presence. We trust that God’s mercy is greater than our understanding and that He desires all souls to be saved. This hope should inspire us to live with joy and confidence, knowing that we are destined for eternal life with God.

Let us take a moment to remember our loved ones who have passed away. Let us pray for their souls and for all the faithful departed. May our prayers bring them comfort and peace as they journey toward the fullness of life in Christ. Let us also reflect on our own lives and the legacy we wish to leave behind. May we strive to live in a way that honours God and reflects His love to others. In doing so, we not only honour the memory of those who have gone before us but also prepare ourselves for the day when we will be reunited with them in the presence of our loving God.

May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen. 

Thirtieth Sunday of the year (Year C)

 Thirtieth Sunday of the year, October 23, 2022

Sirach 35:12-14; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

(Image courtesy: Google)

Narada, the Indian sage, was a devotee of God. So great was his devotion that he was one day tempted to think that in all the world there was no one who loved God more than he. His self-righteousness began to lead him towards pride and arrogance. The Lord read his heart and said, “Narada, go to this town on the banks of the river Ganges, for a devotee of mine dwells there. Living with him will do you good.” 

Narada went and found a farmer who rose early in the morning, pronounced the name of God only once, then lifted his plough and went out to his fields, where he worked the whole day. Just before he fell asleep at night, he pronounced the name of God once again. Narada thought, “How can this farmer be a devotee of God? He pronounced God’s name only twice in the day, and then got himself immersed in his worldly occupation.” When Narada voiced his opinion to God, then the Lord said to him, “Fill a bowl to the brim with milk and walk all round the city. Then come back without spilling a single drop.” Narada did as he was told, and returned. Then the Lord asked him, “How many times did you remember me in the course of your walk around the city?” Not once,” replied Narada. “How could I when you commanded me to watch that bowl of milk?” The Lord said, “That bowl so absorbed your attention that you forgot me altogether. But look at that farmer who, though burdened with the cares of supporting a family, remembers me twice a day.”

Jesus in today’s gospel caricatures the two extremes of the religious society of his day, two attitudes before God. In which do I see myself, the Pharisee or the publican? First, the Pharisee, with his ‘magnificent’ prayer of thanks, asks nothing for himself, and we should judge him as no hypocrite: what he says, he does, and perfectly. The trouble is, he knows it too well: he listens to himself praying, he is preoccupied with himself. Above all, he judges others. As far as he is concerned about God, he sees him chiefly as the one who will recognise his merits.

The first reading from Sirach describes God as partial to the weak, listening to the cry of the oppressed, especially the powerless orphans and widows. God always listens to the poor and has a favourable sentence on the one who does not boast of their merits and has only poverty and mercy to rely on. 

In today's Gospel, we have the strange example of a Pharisee and a tax collector in the context of prayer. The Pharisee and we clearly have evidence to prove he is the "good" person. He carefully kept the Law of the Jews and the Commandments of God. He faithfully observed the obligations of a good Jew: he prayed, he fasted, and he gave alms. In fact, he was very generous in his attitude towards God. He fasted twice a week, while a religious Jew had to fast just once a year. The law commanded tithes of farm produce profits, but the Pharisees tithed on everything they possessed.  His righteousness considerably exceeded the standards prescribed by the Mosaic Law.  And yet, God was not happy with him because he was a totally self-centred person. He thanked God with the words expressing that he was not like others, especially the terrible tax collector who had come to the Temple to pray.  He was telling God how fortunate God is having secured such a pious generous person like the Pharisee. 

Let us now draw out some ways to live this truth in our everyday lives:

1. Daily Prayer with Humility

Often our prayer becomes a performance: we repeat the words, we list our good works, and we may even compare ourselves to others. The Gospel invites a different posture: a quiet, humble confession of need: “Lord, I need you.” One practical step: at the start of your daily prayer time, pause and say simply: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Let go of the need to impress. Let the prayer come from the heart.

2. Re-evaluate how you measure worth

In the classroom, in the school, and at home, we all face comparison. “I did better than X,” “I taught better than Y,” “I earned more than Z.” But the Gospel challenges us: worth before God is not achieved by our boasting but by our inner posture. Practically, when you receive compliments or achieve success, thank God first. When you fail or feel overlooked, remember God’s favour rests on the humble, not the self-promoting.

3. Serve the vulnerable with justice and compassion

The first reading calls us to care for the alien, the widow, the orphan; to lend without exploitation; to treat the neighbour with dignity. Reach out quietly, encourage privately, treat them as valued. In your community, support someone in need, not for thanks or admiration, but because God sees them.

4. Turn inward to examine the heart

The Pharisee did many good things outwardly. But his heart was closed. Every so often, take time for a “heart check”: Are there hidden attitudes of superiority? Do I compare myself to others and feel better or worse? Do I rely on my reputation, or on God’s mercy? Write quietly in a journal: “Lord, show me where I need to humble myself before you and before my neighbour.”

5. Trust in God during trials

In our lives too, when we feel abandoned, criticised, or weak, the psalm reminds us: God is near to the broken-hearted. So: when you face hardship (in teaching, in family, in life) – instead of turning to self-justification (“I did everything right”), turn to God’s mercy (“Lord, I need you”), and rest in his presence.

6. Cultivate gratitude, not comparison

Comparison breeds either pride or envy. Instead, cultivate gratitude for what God has done. The psalm begins: “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.” 

Each evening, name three things you are thankful for, not what you achieved, but what you received from God or how God used you. These shifts focus from self-performance to grace-reception.

Today's readings remind us that God hears the prayer of the humble, that mercy triumphs over self‐righteousness, and that a genuine relationship with God is not built on boasting but on truth and dependence.

As we leave this time of reflection, let us ask: “How will I walk the rest of this week differently because of this Gospel?” Perhaps it means silencing our proud inner voice, choosing instead to acknowledge our need for God. Perhaps it means noticing someone on the margins and acting with compassion. Perhaps it means teaching or leading with humility, not for recognition, but for service.

Happy Sunday