There are abundant selections for the Feast of All Souls, and depending on the Mass you attend you may hear any one of the following:
Old Testament
Wisdom 3:1-9 “The souls of the just are in the hands of God…”
Wisdom 4:7-15 “The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.”
Isaiah 25:6-9 “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide…”
Responsorial Psalm
23 “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”
25 “To you, O Lord, I lift my soul”
27 “The Lord is my light and my salvation”
New Testament
Romans 5:5-11 “Hope does not disappoint…”
Romans 5:17-21 “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more…”
Romans 6:3-9 “As Christ was raised…we too might live…”
Romans 8:14-23 “Those led by the Spirit of God and sons of God…”
Romans 8:31b-35,37-39 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 14:7-9,10c-12 “If we live, we live for the Lord…”
1st Corinthians 15:20-28 “Christ has been raised from the dead…”
1st Corinthians 15:51-57 “Behold, I tell you a mystery…”
2nd Corinthians 4:14-5:1 “We have a building from God…”
2nd Corinthians 5:1,6-10 “We are courageous…”
Philippians 3:20-21 “Our citizenship is in heaven…”
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 “We believe that Jesus died and rose…’
2nd Timothy 2:8-13 “If we have died with him, we shall live with him…”
Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12a “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”
Matthew 11:25-30 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened…”
Matthew 25:31-46 “As a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
Luke 7:11-17 “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
Luke 23:44ff; 24:1-6a “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Luke 24:13-16,28-35 “The Lord has truly been raised…!”
John 5:24-29 “Whoever hears my word and believes…has eternal life.”
John 6:37-40 “I shall raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:51-59 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”
John 11:17-27 “I am the resurrection and the life…”
John 11:32-45 “Lazarus, come out!”
John 14:1-6 “I am the way, and the truth and the life…”
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Just as we recognize the signs in nature to discern the weather, so too, we discern God’s presence in our lives and adjust our spiritual lives accordingly.
Jesus speaks of the fire he brings to the earth as he approaches his baptism, inviting us to embrace the flame of faith to purify our hearts and be ready to stand with Christ.
Let’s explore some of the themes that we find in the Mass readings for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Sirach 35:12-14,16-18
The Lord is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.
The prayers of the lowly and the one who serves God willingly are heard.
Psalm – 34:2-3,17-19,23
“The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”
The Lord confronts evildoers and redeems the brokenhearted.
2nd Reading – 2nd Timothy 4:6-8,16-18
Paul has competed well and finished the race; he has kept the faith.
While everyone else deserted him, the Lord stood by and gave him strength.
Gospel – Luke 18:9-14
Jesus offers a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector, directing it to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.
The Pharisee’s words had little effect; however, the tax collector’s humble prayer was heard in heaven.
Three Great Things 