Homily All Souls Day - Second November - Mass - Year A - 2023

 

Homily All Souls Day - Second November - Mass - Year A - 2023

Homily All Souls Day - Second November

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6, 7-9.

Psalm: Ps 26. "I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord, in the land of the living."

Second Reading: Romans 5:5-11

Gospel Acclamation: John 6:40. "This is the will of my Father, says the Lord. That all who believe in the Son have eternal life. And I will raise them up to life again on the last day."

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Stock Photo ID: 1997392616 - VIENNA, AUSTIRA - JUNI 18, 2021: The symbolic fresco of Jesus good Sheepherd in Herz Jesu church from begin of 20. cent. by autor with F.Z. initials. - Important information - Editorial Use Only.

Photo Contributor- Renata Sedmakova

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the All Souls Day - Second November by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/fhl-commemoration-of-all-the-faithful-departed-all-souls-day-2nd-november-year-a/s-qbA9nEeVGvw

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I could not think of a better person to commend our dear departed loved ones, friends and colleagues to the eternal care of, than the one who formed them with love.... and walked with them every step of their life's journey...  and loved them as a doting parent...  that is, Our God. God is love...  God who created everything from the dust...  and who never hates anything he created, because he made it... and with love beyond telling.....   We commend our departed loved ones and all souls to God, who understands us better than we even understand ourselves...   it is God Who knows every situation, every circumstance, every hardship, every context to all our actions and decisions, and every blessing and grace of each person's life.  God sees and knows everything that made us free to make the decisions we made in our lives... and God also sees all restricted us in our freedom to think and act too.....  // And amazingly, many times, we don't see those factors clearly - even in the events of our own lives! 

We mortals, act with imperfect vision and knowledge. God knows that, and sees it all and allows for these factors. God has the whole picture and sees us with clear but loving eyes. 

God who is all compassionate, merciful, kind. loving and faithful.

In his earthly ministry, Jesus physically raised from the dead only a few people.  And naturally, this astounding miracle was met with incredible wonder, awe and amazement.  But we know that the people he raised back to life, with compassion deep in his heart, would eventually go the way of all humans, and die again...  (but hopefully this time, after a long and happy life).  

These rare incidents of Christ raising the dead (in his earthly ministry), show us the heart of God towards all who mourn.  This heart is filled with unfathomable love and compassion.  Our Lord himself knew what it was to mourn the loss of loved ones.  His step father Joseph passed away at some time in his young life.  It was have been a deep loss and sadness...   He must have been tempted to raise him back up...  but he did not. Instead entrusting him to his Heavenly Father who is always faithful...  He also wept at the death of Lazarus, even though he believed in Heaven and the ultimate resurrection of all the dead...  but he still keenly felt grief and loss nevertheless...   Our Lord knows what we mean when we are deeply grieving.  

Jesus says to each of us... I WILL raise you up anew to eternal life.  To the fullness of life in Heaven.  

Those few examples of physical resurrection, (of which Christ himself is the absolute fullness of examples),  are a promise and foretaste.   This poor widows only son was raised up out of compassion  to remind everyone that God promises to raise up our bodies in the fullness of time.  it also shows Christ's faithfulness, love and care for all who are bowed down by grief and loss.  God promises to fulfil his words to us. We too, can join with those in the first reading who acclaimed:  "See, this is the one in whom we trusted. IT is God in whom we hoped. And we were right to do so, for see, he has saved us!"  

In life, and in the life of each one of us, we come across sadness, tragedies, loss and disaster.  More times than we care to count.  Some disasters are naturally occurring, freak incidents, or inexplicable developments, and other disasters are tragically due to human action; -  mistakes, sins, negligence or malice.  These are even harder to bear.  today's feast of ALL SOULS is a reminder that God is our Faithful shepherd. A good and loving shepherd and parent.. who is never just content with saving the 99% of the flock...  but who will not rest and who keeps searching until the last sheep is recovered and carried back to be reunited with everyone else. 

Jesus shows us that it is right and good to keep trusting and hoping and praying - for God is truly faithful. God is gentle and kind and compassionate. 

Today we pray for all Holy Souls.  We are consoled and peaceful in the knowledge that we are praying and commending all these precious souls into the hands of the one has has the last loving say on everything. 

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References:
Fr Paul W. Kelly

Stock Photo ID: 1997392616 - VIENNA, AUSTIRA - JUNI 18, 2021: The symbolic fresco of Jesus good Sheepherd in Herz Jesu church from begin of 20. cent. by autor with F.Z. initials. - Important information - Editorial Use Only.

Photo Contributor- Renata Sedmakova
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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:

"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993). (Sydney Australia).

"Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - In memory of William John Kelly (1942-2017) - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

"Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: - Shure Motiv MV5 Digital Condenser.

Editing equipment:    -- MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software v10.49 (NCH Software).

NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 17.63 (NCH Software)

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 10 Audio Editor (Izotope Inc.)

[ Production -  KER -  2023]

May God bless and keep you.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All Souls Day
(Second November)


 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

          PENITENTIAL ACT:

As we prepare to celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, let us pause, recall our sins, and trust in Gods infinite mercy.

Lord Jesus, you raise the dead to life in the Spirit. Lord, have mercy.

You bring pardon and peace to the sinner. Christ, have mercy.

You bring light to those in darkness. Lord, have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

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Preface I of Christian Death

EPII

Memorial Acclamation

We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.


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SOLEMN BLESSING:

Let us bow our heads and ask for God's blessing.
May the God of all consolation bless you,
for in his unfathomable goodness he created the human race,
and in the Resurrection of his Only Begotten Son
he has given believers the hope of rising again.
Amen.

To us who are alive, may God grant pardon for our sins,
and to all the dead, a place of light and peace.
Amen.
May we all live happily for ever with Christ,
whom we believe truly rose from the dead.
Amen.

And may the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.
Amen.

Priest:

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.