Scripture Reflection, November 2, 2025, All Souls Day

Wisdom 3:1-9 Romans 8:14-23 Luke 7:11-17

Like many of us, I keep a list of people I pray for every day. That list begins with my friends and family who are in palliative care, nearing the end of their life on earth. While visiting a friend a week or so ago I told her that she has been one of those three people. We smiled at each other as I said with a twinkle in my eye, “The other two people have already graduated, if you get my drift. “

Today is All Souls’ Day, the day the church remembers in prayer all of our faithful departed. Since my visit I've been thinking a lot about “graduation.”

A student nearing academic graduation frequently focuses on what he or she will no longer be required to do. "No more lessons, no more books, no more… “ In many ways, it’s seen as the end of something. Those of us with more life experience look at the graduate and think, "My dear, you’re just getting started!” We know it is the beginning of something bigger.

Like the graduating student who cannot see the future, we approach the end of our lives on earth with more questions than answers. What exactly happens when one dies? None of us knows exactly, but everyone's got an opinion.

For what it's worth here's mine.

I believe that life is changed, not taken away. I believe that once God calls me into existence, once my name is written on God's hand, we are stuck with each other. I don't know what that looks like but I know I will never be alone.

And I believe that love never dies. That means our love for our departed friends and family and their love for us will continue in some way deep in the heart of God.The pain we experience at the loss of our loved ones is evidence of the love we've shared. To wish the pain away, would be to wish the love away.

The scriptures the church gives us today are brimming with hope: “The souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them..”

So today in a special way let us thank God for the gift that our loved ones have been in our lives and let us celebrate their “graduation” into the next life, the eternal life for which this earthly life has prepared them. It is our prayer and God's promise.

May they rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon them.

by: Pat Schnee, OPA