Thursday 2 November 2023
All the Faithful Departed
Job 19:1, 23-27. The Lord is my light and my salvation – Psalm 26(27):1, 4, 7-9, 13-14. Matthew 11:25-30.
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God
It is not easy to let go of the people you love. Over the months and years, grief often changes colour. It mellows into a softer shade. But it never goes away. If a person has been especially close, we will carry them for the rest of our days. Jesus shares that burden with us. In the Gospel, he may be speaking of those who have gone to their rest. He could also be thinking of us who are left to carry on as best we can: Jesus wants us to walk with him so that he can share the yoke.
Every year, often on New Year’s Eve, we are reminded of all the famous people who have died in a year: celebrities, politicians, social leaders and so on. These lists are always marked by gratitude and even extravagant praise. Shortcomings are never to be mentioned. Yet nobody speaks about the next part of the journey, our voyage into the arms of God’s mercy and compassion. That is what will make us completely human.
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