One Minute Reflection – 2 November – Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Souls Day – Readings: 4 Esd. 2:34-35, Ps 64:2-3, 1 Cor. 15:51-57), John 5:25-29
At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is here, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear shall live.
John 5:25-29
REFLECTION – Come, Lord Jesus, seek your servant; seek your weary sheep; come, my shepherd. While you delay on the mountains, see!, your sheep is straying. So leave the ninety-nine that are safe in hand and come, look for the one that has strayed. Come, without seeking a helper, without making yourself known; it is you I am waiting for now. Take no whip; take up your love. Come with the gentleness of your Spirit. Don’t hesitate to leave the ninety-nine that belong to you on the mountains: wolves cannot reach the heights where you have set them… Come to me who have strayed far away from the flocks on high, for you had set me up there, too, but the night wolves made me leave your sheepfolds.
Seek me, Lord, since my prayer seeks you. Seek me, find me, take me up, carry me! He whom you seek, you can find; he whom you find, stoop to take up; and he whom you take up, set on your shoulders. This burden of your love is never a load for you and you unwearyingly make of yourself the toll-keeper of justice. So come, Lord, since, if it is true that I stray, yet “I do not forget your word” and still keep hoping for relief. Come, Lord, for you alone are still able to call your lost sheep and will cause no harm to those you will be leaving behind. They, too, will be happy to see the sinner return. Come! There will be redemption on earth and rejoicing in heaven.
Do not send your menservants, do not send hirelings: come and look for your sheep yourself. Take me up in that flesh that fell with Adam. By this act acknowledge in me, not the child of Eve but the son of Mary, pure virgin, virgin by grace, without stain of sin. Then carry me even to your cross, salvation of the straying, only rest for the weary, sole life of all who die.
St Ambrose
PRAYER – Merciful Father, hear our prayers and console us. As we renew our faith in Your Son, Whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His Resurrection, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, amen.
