It was a cool November evening. Leaves that had finally given way to the elements were gently falling to the ground. Nightfall had begun. Despite the chill in the air outside, a cozy, spiritual warmth was enjoyed by the faithful in the Archabbey of St. Meinrad for evening vespers. The monks processed in, as is their custom. I was in attendance for vespers that evening along with others. This old monk walked up to the ambo for the reading and said in his old monk voice, “A reading from the book of Wisdom.” I thought to myself, oh this is going to be good.
I must say, I had a similar experience while visiting St. Joseph Abbey last year. I was there on fall retreat for the weekend. It has recently come to my attention the readings were probably the same. The reading is the first reading for All Souls Day Mass, celebrated by the Church every year on November 2nd. The reading is from the Book of Wisdom found in the Old Testament. The reading is provided below:
The Destiny of the Righteous Contrasted to the Ungodly.
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
For if to others, indeed, they seem punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their judgment they shall shine and dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever.
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 the elect. Wisdom 3:1-9
Consolations and Desolations
There is great consolation in this passage for families and friends who have lost loved ones over the years, and sometimes these losses have been in tragic circumstances. Everyone is included on some level, for we have all lost a loved one.
We never know what day or hour we will pass for judgment.
…each of us shall give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12
The other weekend at Mass an announcement was made for the repose of the soul of Betty R. And I thought to myself, “Oh no! Was that the sweet little old lady that sat at my table several years ago for a parish function?”
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. Wisdom 3:1
I looked in our parish directory for verification. Fortunately, it was not her. Turns out, her name is Wilma (I forgot)! But just flipping through the parish album and seeing the love of all the parish families resonated with me on a spiritual level.
Maybe it is because I have been grinding it out on my own in desolation in what has often been in oppressive circumstances.
Maybe it is because I received holy communion this morning in what I hope was a state of grace, and with all the Divine love that is infused within the Eucharist.
Maybe it was because as a human being, I yearn for the love I was blessed to experience with my family while growing up in a close-knit, small-town community.
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 the elect. Wisdom 3:9
I make it a point to pray for the preservation of Christian families (especially those in my parish) with my intentions offered to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her most powerful intercession to God. The reason why is because everything that is deemed good and worthy of righteousness in this world gets attacked.
Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9
The devil and his minions are hell-bent on ripping God fearing nations, families, and souls apart. Despite the chaos going on, in the end, God’s plan is to be trusted.
For God created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of his own eternity, but through the devil’s envy death entered the world, and those who belong to his party experience it. Wisdom 2:23-24
The Two Ways
Every road has two sides. One way leads to life and the other to death. At any moment in time, we are either headed in one direction or the other (the way of the righteous or the ungodly). In the end, all roads lead back to Jesus the Lord.
Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” John 12:31-32
Think about the morning prayer to St. Michael the Archangel:
Michael, Michael, of the morning, fresh chord of heaven adorning. Keep me safe today, and in times of temptation, drive the devil away. Amen.
Obviously, we want to be going the way of St. Michael. The way of God’s holy angels is the way of righteousness that leads upwards to Christ the Lord in heaven where the beatific vision of God awaits us. But we must make the arduous journey to get there.
That involves refraining from sin and enduring sufferings, afflictions, and persecution.
That involves faith in God, despite temptations and chastisements.
That involves hope. Hope that we hang on and never be discouraged by adversity.
And finally, that involves love. Love for God and love for one another.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
We trust in God.
We persevere.
We refrain from sin and pray to be delivered from evil.
We endure suffering and afflictions.
We remain steadfast in our devotions.
We confess regularly and receive holy communion.
We stay close to the sacramentals.
We perform corporeal and spiritual works of mercy.
We study scripture.
We combat the devil with scripture.
We live out our baptism (CCC 1241) and grow in wisdom.
We strive for sanctity.
We long for Jesus to be at the center of our lives.
And we seek to be obedient to the Lord’s holy commandments.
Here, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Deuteronomy 6:4-7
In faith hope and love, we strive to live a righteous life, and with grace of God, may we all one day receive the reward of the righteous with the souls of the just – eternal life.
Sparks Through Stubble
In the time of their judgment they shall shine and dart about as sparks through stubble; Wisdom 3:7
Let us pray for the souls of our loved ones and for one another.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you. Save souls. Amen. +