The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
We recently met with my son’s teacher for a conference. In it, we talked about some successes and some challenges. The biggest challenge she sees for my son right now is his constant desire to try to fit in. As is appropriate for his age, he is attempting to figure out who he is and what group of friends he belongs to and where he fits. In the conference, I was sad for my son, not because I want to take this all away, for it is an essential part of growing up, but because I remember navigating those same challenges myself.
As I read today’s readings I thought back to this conference. In the gospel, we are told who we are and what group we belong to - we are disciples and we belong to Jesus. How refreshing it is for us when we know who we are. Jesus tells us, “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.” Jesus has been instructed to not lose any of us - he will fight for us, because we belong to him.
There is a real peace that comes from knowing to whom you belong, from knowing that we are God’s. And this inner peace brings about sincerity, truth and genuineness in us. In the first reading, we hear that “Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.” When we carry the peace of knowing we are God’s, we are our best selves. We can understand truth, abide in love and grace and mercy.
Today, All Soul’s Day, we remember all of those who have passed before us. We remember the goodness they brought to this world and we pray for their souls. In our sadness and mourning, may we find comfort in knowing that Christ fought to bring them home to his Father. Much like my son, we are constantly struggling to define who we are and whose we are. May we all remember that we are disciples and we belong to Christ. It is through our belonging to Christ that we are made whole, made full, made complete.
- AJ Grimm