The Commemoration of the All the Faithful Departed (All Soul’s Day) falls on a Sunday this year. Out of the many options for a gospel acclamation, I would like to reflect on Matthew 25:34.
Come, you who are blessed by my Father; Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the world.
For the baptized, this message is very hopeful. The baptized are truly blessed by the Father, since they have been freed from original sin. Those who have not been baptized and truly seek baptism, are on the road to being free from original sin as well. The Father desires to be one with us and be with us for all eternity. Those who have accepted the desires of the Father are now God’s saints. Those that did not completely make that choice are in a state of purgatory and rely now on our prayers to be united with the Son for all time. What choice will you and I make? Will we accept totally, incompletely or reject?