One reason we, as Christians, can stand firm in faith is that we believe our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, died and rose from the dead. This proclamation is a fundamental truth, and in every Mass, during the Profession of Faith after Consecration, we restate it in the mystery of our faith.
Because of this proclamation, beloved brethren, the Church sets aside the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, which we also call All Souls Day, for us today instead of the Thirty-first Sunday liturgy, to reaffirm our faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and our hope of eternal life.
On this day, the Church invites us to sober reflections on our own lives, on the many family members, friends, colleagues, and even strangers who have gone before us, and on what awaits us all in eternity.
All Souls Day is not only for the departed; it is also for us, the living. As we pray for the souls of the faithful departed throughout this month, beginning especially today, we also pray that God may keep us steadfast in faith and, when our time comes, unite us with the angels and saints in everlasting joy. Amen.
