Thirty-Second Sunday of the Year (Year A)

 Thirty-Second Sunday of the Year, November 08, 2026

Wisdom 6:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13

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On July 27, 2015, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India and one of the country's most respected scientists, travelled to IIM Shillong to deliver a lecture to students. The topic was “Creating a Livable Planet Earth.” He had spent his life inspiring young people, encouraging them to dream, learn, and work for a better future. That evening, while delivering his lecture, he suddenly collapsed. He was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead. He died doing what he loved: teaching and inspiring the younger generation. His final moments remind us of something important. We do not know how much time we have, but we can decide how meaningfully we live the time given to us.

This is closely connected to today's Gospel. Jesus tells us to remain watchful because we do not know the day or the hour. The question is not whether we know when our life will end, but whether we are living in such a way that we are ready to meet God whenever He calls us.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us that wisdom is something precious, but it is not far away from us. It is available to those who sincerely seek it. The reading says that wisdom is easily seen by those who love her and found by those who search for her. She comes to meet those who desire her. In other words, wisdom does not belong only to highly educated people or those who have great knowledge. A wise person is someone who knows what truly matters in life.

We spend much of our time running after success, money, recognition, and comfort. These things may have their place, but they cannot give us lasting peace. True wisdom helps us distinguish between what is temporary and what is eternal. It teaches us to give importance to God, relationships, goodness, and the way we live each day. A wise person does not wait until old age or a moment of crisis to begin living meaningfully. Wisdom teaches us to begin today.

The second reading, from St Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians, speaks about death and the hope of resurrection. The early Christians were worried about those who had died. Paul comforts them by reminding them that death is not the end for those who believe in Christ. Jesus died and rose again, and those who belong to Him will also share in His resurrection.

Paul does not tell them that they should never feel sad when someone dies. Rather, he reminds them not to grieve like people who have no hope. Christian faith does not remove the pain of losing someone we love, but it gives us hope beyond the grave. We believe that our lives are held in God's hands and that death does not have the final word. This reading invites us to live with confidence, knowing that our future is not simply darkness but the promise of life with Christ.

The Gospel takes this message one step further. Jesus tells the parable of ten young women who went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and carried extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish and brought no extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became tired and fell asleep. At midnight, the announcement came that the bridegroom was arriving. The wise women had enough oil to keep their lamps burning, but the foolish ones were unprepared.

The important point is that all ten were waiting for the bridegroom, but only five were properly prepared. All had lamps, but not all had enough oil. Jesus is teaching us that it is not enough to appear religious or simply say that we believe in God. We must prepare our hearts through prayer, love, forgiveness, faithfulness, and good actions. The oil represents the inner life of faith that we must build day by day. Nobody can live our relationship with God for us. We cannot borrow another person's faith at the last moment.

There are three important messages for us today. First, seek true wisdom. Do not spend your entire life chasing things that cannot last. Give priority to God, meaningful relationships, and goodness. Second, live with hope. Death is not the end for those who believe in Christ. Even in sorrow, hold on to the promise of resurrection. Third, remain prepared every day. Do not postpone prayer, forgiveness, reconciliation, or acts of kindness. The best preparation for meeting God is to live faithfully today.

Let us also learn from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He did not know that his final lecture would be his last. Yet he spent that day doing what had given meaning to his life: sharing knowledge and inspiring young people. His life reminds us that we cannot control how much time we have, but we can choose how we use it.

Jesus asks us to keep the lamps of our lives burning. Let our lamps be filled with the oil of faith, love, kindness, and hope. Let us not wait for tomorrow to become better people. Let us not wait for a crisis to return to God or for someone's death to remind us of the value of life.

We do not know the day or the hour, but we know what we must do today. Let us live each day with wisdom, serve with love, and remain ready with faith. Then, whenever the Bridegroom comes, may He find our lamps burning brightly.

Happy Sunday

 

All Souls Day

All Souls' Day, November 02, 2026

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

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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 flowers 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.