Homily – Feast of All Souls – November 2

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Homily for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day)

Readings: Wisdom 3:1–9; Romans 6:3–9; John 6:37–40

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today, the Church invites us to remember all our loved ones who have died — parents, friends, neighbors, and all the faithful departed. It is a special day of love and hope. When we come to church today, we bring with us memories — names and faces of people who once sat beside us, shared meals with us, prayed with us. We miss them. But we also come with faith, because we believe that death is not the end.

All Souls Day reminds us that those who die in friendship with God are not gone forever. They are alive in God’s hands. The first reading told us: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” What a beautiful truth! Even if their bodies are gone, their souls are safe — loved, healed, and cared for by God. Sometimes we think of death as something terrible, but faith helps us see beyond it. For the one who believes, death is not a wall; it is a door. It opens to eternal life.

St. Paul, in the second reading, reminded us that we are baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus. That means that every time we look at the Cross, we remember that Jesus already walked the road of death before us — and He came out victorious. If we die with Him, we shall also live with Him. This gives us courage. When we think of our loved ones who have died, or when we think about our own death one day, we don’t need to be afraid. Jesus has gone ahead of us. He has prepared a place for us.

In the Gospel, Jesus says, “Whoever comes to me I will never reject.” What a promise! God’s heart is open to all. He does not forget anyone. He does not turn anyone away. When we pray for the souls in purgatory, we are simply joining Jesus in His work of mercy. We are saying: “Lord, finish the good work you began in them. Bring them home to your Kingdom.” And when we pray for the dead, we also remind ourselves to live well. One day, it will be our turn. Death is not a surprise — it’s a journey we are all making. But how we live now prepares us for that moment. If we live with faith, love, and forgiveness, then we will die in peace.

Dear brothers and sisters, we are a people of remembrance and of hope. We remember those who have gone before us — we miss them, but we entrust them to the Lord who is Love itself. And we hope in the promise of Jesus: “Whoever believes in me will never die.” Let us continue to pray for the souls in purgatory — that they may soon see the face of God. And let us live each day as if it were our last, loving God and one another, so that when death comes, it finds us ready to hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.”

May our prayers bring peace to the departed, and may we all look forward with longing to the day when we are reunited in the eternal embrace of God.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY QUESTIONS

20 questions for kids with Yes or No questions on John 6:37–40 (All Souls Day).

1. Did Jesus say, “Whoever comes to me I will never reject”? — Yes
2. Does Jesus turn away people who come to Him? — No
3. Did Jesus come down from heaven to do His own will? — No
4. Did Jesus come to do the will of His Father? — Yes
5. Is it God’s will that some people be lost forever? — No
6. Is it God’s will that everyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life? — Yes
7. Did Jesus promise to raise believers on the last day? — Yes
8. Does Jesus forget about people after they die? — No
9. Does the Father give people to Jesus? — Yes
10. Does Jesus promise to keep safe everyone the Father gives Him? — Yes
11. Did Jesus say that whoever sees the Son and believes in Him will live forever? — Yes
12. Does Jesus love only perfect people? — No
13. Can anyone who believes in Jesus be sure of His love? — Yes
14. Will Jesus reject us if we make mistakes and ask for forgiveness? — No
15. Does Jesus want everyone to be saved? — Yes
16. Did Jesus say He came from the earth? — No
17. Did Jesus say He came from heaven? — Yes
18. Is faith in Jesus the way to eternal life? — Yes
19. Will Jesus raise us up at the last day if we believe in Him? — Yes
20. Should we trust Jesus every day of our lives? — Yes