Gospel Reflection Nov 2 – Deacon Paul Zemanek
Sunday, November 2
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
(All Souls)
John 6: 37-40
Gospel:
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
Friends, yesterday we celebrated All Saints Day, where we honor all the saints in Heaven. Today, we are reminded as we celebrate All Souls Day, that death is not the end and we focus on helping those still waiting to enter Heaven. Both days remind us of the hope we have in eternal life.
When we pray for the souls of the dead, we remember those who have died, especially those in Purgatory. We pray that God will help them on their journey to Heaven.
In John’s Gospel today, Jesus said that “I should lose nothing of all that he has given me.” With these words, Jesus promises that he will not let any believer slip through the cracks. He protects and cherishes each one of us, ensuring that we will be raised up on the last day. If we have a relationship with Jesus, we have a refuge and a future full of hope and promise.
Jesus makes it clear that believing in Him is the pathway to everlasting life. All of us are invited to respond to that call. The challenge for us today is not only to accept this invitation but to also live it out in our daily lives.
Deacon Paul Zemanek