Readings for All Souls / All Faithful Departed
Psalm 130, Wisdom 3:1 to 9, 1st Thessalonians 4:13 to 18, and John 5:24 to 27:
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5:24)
I like the part where it says, “does not come under judgment.” I have had many friends who did not claim a specific denomination, nor attend Church regularly, but have now passed away. But God knows their faith. We are not to judge them. That will be God’s job. These are the Faithful Departed which we remember today.
I like that our Church has set aside a day of remembrance for people we have lost to death. Some died of natural causes or disease. Some were victims of mass murder such as a school shooting or shootings at a public gathering; some were victims of terrorist attacks such as the attacks of 9/11. We should not let the evil plan of a sinful person or group determine when we mourn our loss. Our Church has a day for this. It is today. We remember them today and again give them to God Almighty where they have “passed from death to life.”
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 