Today’s Daily Gospel Reflection

November 2, 2024

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Jn 6:37-40
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Gospel

Jesus said to the crowds:
“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And 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.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”

Gospel Reflection

Maureen Coyle Windmoeller ’83
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I love road trips. For me, vacation starts the moment the wheels are rolling. Vivid childhood memories transport me back to the old maroon station wagon, cruising down the interstate with my parents and little brother. Along the way, we’d always sing just to pass the time. There were no screens to keep kids busy back in the 70’s!

One favorite was a campy, call-and-response tune, “Oh, you can’t get to heaven.” We rotated leading improvised, rhyming verses like, “Oh you can’t get to heaven on roller skates ‘cause you’ll roll right by those pearly gates!” Eventually, when every idea was exhausted, someone would intone the coda, “If you get to heaven before I do, just dig a little hole and pull me through!”

Assuredly, we weren’t thinking about theology, but in a simple way, the song reflected our Catholic faith. Each of us, including my ten-year-old self and my five-year-old brother, pretty much expected we were headed for that heavenly community.

Ten-year-old me couldn’t have envisioned the future. She couldn’t have understood how her three traveling companions could be born into eternal life ahead of her! And while each transition would be heartbreaking, no excavation of “a little hole” would be necessary because, in many ways, my parents and brother are as near to me and my heart as they were in that family station wagon.

Although the church sets aside one day to pray for and with the souls of our beloved dead, they are always near. Our faith teaches us that we travel together.

In the Apostles Creed, we profess our belief in the communion of saints, the “great cloud of witnesses.” (Hebrews 12:1) Our souls are members of that communion, along with the billions of believers who came before us, each trusting that we are destined for a real life, as Jesus says in today’s gospel, for eternal life.

Prayer

Rev. Ricky Bevington, C.S.C.

Heavenly Father, we ask that you gather to yourself all who believe. On this All Soul’s Day, we find consolation in your promise of love for your people. Hold close to your heart those who mourn the loss of a parent, friend, child, or family member. Increase our faith in your gift of eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Pray with Today’s Saint

On the feast of All Souls’ Day, let us pray for the souls in Purgatory and all the faithful departed, especially those from the Notre Dame family and our own families.
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