St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are on the thirty first week in ordinary time commemorating All Souls’ Day. It is a very meaningful and heart touching celebration of the remembrance of our loved ones who have gone before us. The first reading from the book of wisdom considers the gift of immortality in relation to divine reward and punishment. Wisdom and other writings of Jewish Hellenism asserted that immortality is fundamental to human destiny. What does our faith tell us? How do we believe and prepare for this eternal destiny?

The second reading is taken from Romans 5:5-11, which tells us that hope does not disappoint us because of the love of God. He has expressed His love by pouring out His life as a libation for our salvation. Through His death and mercy, Christ has reconciled us with God and justified us by His precious blood which He paid as a ransom for many.

How do we learn to remain connected with this Jesus, our Lord, who saves us? It is only by practicing our faith and remaining faithful to the reception of the sacraments.

The Gospel passage chosen is John 6:37-40, which gives us the assurance of the will of the Father in Heaven that none of us should be lost. The Risen Lord assures us that He will raise us up on the last day, all those who do the will of the Father in heaven. Isn't our final destiny clear? Do we still have doubts or questions about life after death? Don’t we believe in the Resurrection of the dead? If yes, in what way do we wish to fulfill the will of the Father in Heaven? How do we prepare ourselves to be reunited with all the Angels, Saints, and our loved ones in Heaven?

Fr. Aloysius Royan Anthony