First reading Isaiah 25:6a,7-9
The Lord will swallow up death for ever
On this mountain,
the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples
a banquet of rich food.
On this mountain he will remove
the mourning veil covering all peoples,
and the shroud enwrapping all nations,
he will destroy Death for ever.
The Lord will wipe away
the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people’s shame
everywhere on earth,
for the Lord has said so.
That day, it will be said: See, this is our God
in whom we hoped for salvation;
the Lord is the one in whom we hoped.
We exult and we rejoice
that he has saved us.
Responsorial Psalm 26(27):1,4,7,8-9,13-14
Second reading Romans 5:5-11
Now we have been reconciled by the death of his Son, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son
Hope is not deceptive, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given us. We were still helpless when at his appointed moment Christ died for sinful men. It is not easy to die even for a good man – though of course for someone really worthy, a man might be prepared to die – but what proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Having died to make us righteous, is it likely that he would now fail to save us from God’s anger? When we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we were still enemies; now that we have been reconciled, surely we may count on being saved by the life of his Son? Not merely because we have been reconciled but because we are filled with joyful trust in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have already gained our reconciliation.
Gospel Matthew 11:25-30
You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children
Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’
Finding Hope and Rest in God’s Love
As we celebrate All Souls’ Day, we remember those who have died and feel the pain of their absence. Yet, even in our grief, we hold on to hope. In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us of God’s promise to overcome death, wipe away every tear, and welcome His people into lasting peace. This promise does not remove our sorrow, but it assures us that we do not mourn alone. God draws close to us, offering comfort and strength as we place our loved ones in His loving care.
In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to enter into His rest. When we are burdened by sadness or the anxieties of life, we are called to share those burdens with Him, trusting we do not have to carry them alone. Today, let us remember that we are deeply loved by God, and with Him by our side, we find strength to keep walking this journey of life.
Reflective question:
How can Jesus’ invitation to rest bring me comfort in times of grief or difficulty?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
