JOHN 11:17-27 JESUS MEETS US IN OUR GRIEF

ALL SOULS’ DAY

Today, we gather with memories, love, and sometimes tears in our hearts. When someone we love dies, life goes on, but something within us changes. We may return to our daily routines, but we still miss their voice, their smile, their presence at the table. Even years later, a birthday, an anniversary, or a familiar song can bring back memories and tears. Love does not end with death, and neither does our need to pray for those we love.

In the Gospel, Martha meets Jesus after her brother Lazarus has died. With a grieving heart, she says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Perhaps we, too, have asked God similar questions: “Lord, why did this happen? Why did you take someone I loved?” Jesus does not scold Martha for her grief. He does not tell her to stop crying or simply to have more faith. Instead, we hear those beautiful words: “And Jesus wept.” Our God is not distant from our sorrow. Jesus enters into it. As your pastor, I know that when we gather to remember those who have died, we are not simply remembering names. We are remembering people who were part of our lives, people we loved, people whose absence we still feel. Faith does not erase our grief, and hope does not make separation painless. But we do not have to carry our sorrow alone.

Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This is the promise we hold on to today. Death is real, and separation hurts, but death does not have the final word. Christ does. We entrust our departed loved ones to God's mercy, and we continue to love them through our prayers, the celebration of the Eucharist, and the memories we carry in our hearts.

This evening, I warmly invite everyone to join us for our All Souls’ Day Mass at 7:00 p.m. Let us come together as one parish family, especially to stand beside those who have lost a loved one during this past year, and let them know that they are not alone in their grief. We will also have an opportunity to light a candle in memory of our departed loved ones. Whether you lost someone recently or many years ago, please come and remember them in prayer. They may no longer be physically with us, but we continue to commend them to God's mercy and entrust them to his everlasting love.

Today, let us remember that we are united in Christ—in love, in prayer, and in the hope of eternal life.

We still miss them. We still love them. We still pray for them. And because of Jesus Christ, we do not grieve without hope.

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler