The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. — Psalm 23:1

Mass Readings: Wisdom 3:1-9 / Romans 5:5-11 or 6:3-9 / John 6:37-40 

‘They Are at Peace’ 

The first few verses of today’s first reading can be particularly comforting if you’re grieving the death of a loved one. “The souls of the just are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are at peace.” 

Even under the best of circumstances, a truly “happy death,” it’s hard when someone we love dies. Even when faith tells us he or she has returned to our heavenly Father, we miss that person so much. Today, in a special way, the Church on earth joins the saints in heaven to pray for the souls of our dearly departed who are preparing to fully enter God’s kingdom. 

Prayer: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.