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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  We follow Christ in life and death

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published October 24, 2008

The readings for this feast displace the readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the old liturgy, the observance of the feast would have been transferred to Monday. Praying for the dead is even recorded in the Old Testament: 2 Maccabees 12:43-46. Any of the readings used for funeral Masses may be used on this day. I will select three of the possible readings for reflection.

First Reading: Wisdom 3:1-9

The Book of Wisdom is probably the last written book to be included in the Old Testament. It was originally written in Greek and is not included in the Hebrew Bible. The Protestant Churches include it in the Apocrypha. Although there is some debate just how late the book achieved its final form, it was probably in the years around the time of the life of the historical Jesus.

This is one of the earliest passages in the Bible that present eternal life as a blessing for the "souls of the just." Length of life, now extended into eternity, was recognized as a reward for obedience to God. Earlier biblical literature relegated all the dead to a shadowy type of existence, as understood in 1 Samuel 28:8-19. There is nothing said in this passage about the "unjust" person. The genre of wisdom literature recognized that good people did not always gain advantage in this life. This opposed the traditional theory of retribution, which stated that we receive reward and punishment for our actions in our limited mortal life. The biblical author received the revelation that God provided the reward for doing good in eternal life, since the mercy of God cannot be confined to temporal life alone.

Second Reading: Romans 5:5-11

Hope is a vision of the future. Paul assures the Christians in Rome that the "love of God" for them is the guarantee of overcoming their present difficulties. This is the same word for "love" used throughout the Old Testament as the relationship between God and His chosen people, Israel. That love of God overcame slavery, exile and devastation. They were conditions from which it was impossible for the people to recover by themselves. The Holy Spirit was the presence of God. It was also the source of life.

Paul assures the Christians that Christ's death was not an accident. He died "at the appointed time" in God's plan. This plan included the future, since it included "the ungodly. . . enemies," those who were called Gentiles in earlier ages. Paul repeats what he had said: "God proves his love for us …" He also repeats, "reconciled … received reconciliation." This is the final effect and result of the love of God.

I had a funeral recently for a man who had accomplished quite a bit in the business world. He had been a leader and innovator. He achieved success in material rewards and social status. But that was not mentioned by the recollections of his family and friends. It was the much simpler human acts of kindness … as well as some of his "peculiarities"! … which were recalled by all who stood up at the funeral home to add their remarks. I gained a whole different insight into his life. Those were the traits which really changed the lives of those many people who gathered there. It also forced me to reconsider what legacy, what vision of hope, I have left among those in whose companionship God has placed me.

Gospel: John 6:37-40

This passage from the Gospel of John is part of the Bread of Life discourse (John 6:32-59). The end of the discourse is considered by many scholars to be an explanation and assertion of sacramental presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. Jesus comforts the people with the promise of His presence and that of His Father. He twice reaffirms that promise as a commitment at the end of these verses: "This is the will of the One who sent me … this is the will of my Father." Jesus connects His mission with the plan of God.

The word "will" is mentioned four times in these few verses. The number "four" or something mentioned four times often is symbolic for universalism. In the Old Testament, this word is associated with the divine rule of God over all creation. "Thy will be done" is the third petition in the Lord's Prayer. It is closely associated with the Passion and Death of Christ. This becomes an ethical statement in the Gospel of John about the actions of Jesus. Self-will is exchanged for divine will in the choice and direction of life.

Our prayers not only provide a communion with God. They are a recommitment to share the vision He offers to those who follow Him. The prayer and life of Jesus only becomes our own when we accept the challenges which daily life offers us. Jesus guarantees … and is the guarantee … that our life will not be in vain. Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.