All Souls Day - In the Embrace of God in Eternity

Sunday - All Souls:  The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - November 02, 2025

Readings: Wisdom 3:1–9; Psalms 23:1–3A, 3B–4, 5, 6; Romans 5:5–11; John 6:37–40

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/eLVtYlZq_r8

There is a pretty casual saying in Kannada: "ಇಲ್ಲಿರುವುದು ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ, ಮೇಲೇರುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ." "We are here for nothing, but our real home is above." Even though it is a simple way of making ourselves lighter, the words are profound. No one is permanent on this earth. Our fragility, vulnerability and the sense of non-existence are felt at death. However, we cannot take our lives lightly. We have to learn to live our lives to the fullest. Only those lives which lived to the full have meaning. Today, on All Souls Day, the Church pauses in prayerful remembrance of all our departed brothers and sisters. We remember our loved ones who have gone before us. It is a day when love looks beyond the veil of death, when memory is touched by hope, and when faith assures us that our loved ones are not lost, but live in God. The liturgical readings of today help us to understand the significance of this day.

1. Everything has a Purpose

The Book of Wisdom 3:1–9 opens our hearts with its consoling truth: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” To human eyes, death appears as an end, nothingness, empty, meaninglessness, silence, absence, loss and so forth. Yet, in God’s eyes, it is a beginning. It has a meaning. It has a purpose. God never leaves his best creation purposeless. The faithful are at peace, embraced by the One who created them in love. What may look like suffering or destruction is, in fact, purification — the soul being refined like gold in fire, made radiant in God’s presence.

This vision invites us to trust even when we cannot see. Believing without seeing is a grace. When we stand before a grave, when we light a candle for someone we miss dearly, when our hearts ache for those gone before us — faith whispers: They are safe; they are in a better place. They are held. They are at peace in the hand of God. They are enjoying the presence of God. The day of All Souls Day should not be a sober day but a day of glorifying with thanks because they are with God. In fact, they are in a permanent place.

2. God is our Hope

Saint Paul, in his Letter to the Romans 5:5–11, deepens this message: “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Our life here on earth is a mystery. We are imperfect beings yet we are capable of contemplating eternity and a future filled with hope. Our hope is not wishful thinking or daydreaming; it is anchored in the Cross of Christ. God’s love reached out to us “while we were still sinners.” That is the heart of our faith — that divine mercy precedes our goodness, and salvation is God’s free gift, not our achievement.

If Christ could die for us in our weakness, then how much more will He embrace those who have already completed their earthly journey! Their lives, with all their struggles and imperfections, are being perfected in His mercy. Our prayers today for the departed are not in vain; they are acts of love that assist souls on their way to full communion with God.

3. Living in the Mercy of God

And in the Gospel of John 6:37–40, Jesus gives us the most tender assurance: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.” What a promise! The Lord does not reject anyone who seeks Him. He gathers all into His heart and declares, “This is the will of my Father, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day.” That is the Christian hope — that no one is forgotten, no one is lost. The embrace of Christ is wider than death. Those whom we remember today — our parents, grandparents, friends, mentors, even those who have no one to pray for them — are not gone into darkness, but into God’s marvellous light.

As we celebrate this beautiful day of remembrance, let our observance be filled not with fear but with gratitude. Let our prayers rise as fragrant offerings of love for those who now see what we still long to see — the face of God. And let us live our days with renewed faith, that when our own hour comes, we too may hear those blessed words: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” May our hearts today be consoled by this truth: that death does not end our relationships — it transforms them. We remain united in Christ’s Body, in prayer, and in love, until we meet again in the eternal embrace of God.

Questions for Self-Reflection

1. When I think of death, do I see it only as an end, or as a doorway into the fullness of life with God?
2. In moments of grief or loss, where do I place my hope — in my own strength, or in Christ’s promise of resurrection?
3. Have I taken time recently to thank God for the people who have formed and blessed my life, even those who are no longer here?

Prayer:

Loving and merciful God, we thank you for the gift of life and for the promise of eternal communion with you. Today we remember with love all our departed brothers and sisters, entrusting them to your tender care. May your light shine upon them and bring them the peace and joy of your presence. Strengthen our faith in the resurrection of your Son, and fill our hearts with hope that we too may share in that same glory one day. Teach us to live each day mindful of eternity—to love generously, forgive freely, and trust completely in your mercy. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

Mercy of God in the Face of Human Weakness

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 26, 2025

Readings: Sirach 35:12–14, 16–18; Psalm 34:2–3, 17–19, 23; 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18; Luke 18:9–14

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/ktim7wP-aew

What makes a person great? Is it pride or humility? Wealth, honour, and pride seem to be what determine a person's position in this world. However, when we delve deeper into the mystery of the human person, what really matters to persons is that they are loved, respected, and accepted. The so-called values of the world, which seem to reward conceit, success and self-promotion, have a limited existence. But the values of the Reign of God, such as peace, justice, humility, generosity and respect, have eternal value. They determine the future of the world and not the values of the world. We are equal before God. Yet, everyone runs after having more than being more. St Ignatius of Loyola speaks about the necessity of being humble before God, to be ready for honour or dishonour, poverty or wealth, or anything else for God and finally to desire poverty, dishonour, and even be a fool for God, since Christ was. As we delve deeper into the liturgical readings on this Sunday, they invite us to follow the same Christ in humility, service and in the well-being of the greater good. 

1. Finding the mercy of God in being humble

In this Sunday’s Gospel Luke 18:9–14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector—two men who go up to the temple to pray. Their actions during the prayer reveal the state of their hearts more than their words. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, stands tall and lists his religious achievements. The tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, stands at a distance, unable even to lift his eyes to heaven, and simply pleads, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” He prays with a humble and contrite heart (Ps 51:19). What a contrast we notice here? 

Persistence in Prayer: A Way to Win

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 19, 2025

Readings: Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121:1-8; 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-8

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/5WtZYZDe7Vc

To win a game, we must know our competence. Our courage and dedication will enable the competitive spirit to win a game. Persistence, consistency and resilience are three essential mantras for any victory. Our efforts bear fruit depending on when we adhere to the rules of the game and make use of our every talent diligently. We can win the battle if we are ready to fight with determination and dedication. The liturgical readings on this Sunday invite us to embrace the spirit of Moses, the eloquence of St Paul and the wisdom of Jesus. Moses, along with his people, the Israelites, had to fight for their survival with no weapons in hand. The only weapon they had was the great courage of Moses and his intimate relationship with Yahweh through prayer. As we delve deeper into the Word of God, we are truly inspired to follow the path that was tread by Moses, Jesus and St Paul.

1. Persistence in the absence of God's Presence

In this Gospel passage, Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the story of a widow who keeps coming to an unjust judge, pleading for justice. Though the judge has no fear of God and no respect for people, he eventually grants her request—not because he has become righteous, but because she refuses to give up. Jesus then contrasts this unjust judge with God, who is just and compassionate. Unlike the unjust judge, God always listens to us; moreover, if we pray persistently, then He will grant us everything. 

Your Faith has Saved You

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 12, 2025

Readings: 2 Kings 5:14–17; Psalm 98:1–4; 2 Timothy 2:8–13; Luke 17:11–19

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/7_Rqj2U_U4U

Gratitude is the attitude of the heart. Gratitude swells out of the abundance of thankfulness. A grateful heart is joyful, blissful and faithful. Thanksgiving is a beautiful expression of our joy in having received some help or service. That's why everyone loves to hear the word "thanks." Unfortunately, it often remains just lip service. We must be thankful for what we have received. If we received some benefit or help, or assistance from someone, then we must return it more than what we have received. Only a grateful heart is a happy heart. Cultivating such a heart takes energy and effort. The liturgical readings on this 28th Sunday in Ordinary time invite us to be like that Namaan, a Syrian, a non-Jew, a Commander of the Army or that Samaritan leper who thanked God for all the healing they received. They made not only an extra effort to thank the person who healed them, but also continued to proclaim the mighty works of a God whom they did not believe earlier. 

1. Faith demands active listening

In this Sunday’s Gospel Luke 17:11–19, we meet ten lepers standing at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Their disease had separated them from their families, their communities, and even their places of worship. Yet, their cry of faith reaches Jesus — and He hears them. Jesus does not touch them or perform a dramatic miracle. He simply tells them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they obey, they are healed on the way. Moreover, all ten lepers were healed. God's love and mercy are for all people who are open and willing to receive it, regardless of their background or where they come from.

Lord, Increase our Faith

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 05, 2025

Readings: Habakkuk 1:2–3; 2:2–4; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9; 2 Timothy 1:6–8, 13–14; Luke 17:5–10

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/o1AZFhQ3lgM

Faith is the greatest force in the world. Even that which looks completely impossible becomes possible if it is approached with faith. Often, we are worried for no reason! A senior person may worry because his or her children are away for the moment, and the person feels lonely. Or the worry about one's senior years may trouble him or her. A young person may worry about one's grades in studies, finding the right job and getting settled down, even though the person may be on the way to completing studies, has applied for a job or has plans to settle down in life. Things are going to happen, and they are on the way for the best of our abilities and time, yet we worry about those things which have not left us in delusion. Getting worried about things, even though they might not have any consequences immediately, seems to be a natural phenomenon that all of us go through. In this context, we have powerful readings on this Sunday's liturgy. Jesus says have faith and that will settle you.

Robin1. Faith is cultivated and not bought

The Gospel this Sunday, Luke 17:5–10 opens with the heartfelt plea of the apostles: “Lord, increase our faith!” It is a prayer of everyone. All of us look for a strong sense of faith. Faith is not something we can manufacture or produce in a factory by our own strength; it cannot be bought; it is a gift that grows when we remain close to the Lord. Jesus reminds us that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, uproot trees, and do what seems impossible to our eyes. The point is not the size of our faith, but the presence of genuine trust in God. A small but living faith, surrendered to God, can unleash His power in ways far beyond our imagination.

God, who Gives life to all Things

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 28 September 2025

Readings: Amos 6:1, 4–7; Psalm 146:7–10; 1 Timothy 6:11–16; Luke 16:19–31

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/GrbVYZhl710

We live in a world of contrasts, those who have and have-nots. The rich man and Lazarus are found everywhere. The world of today needs more listening and acting, opening one's eyes and reacting. In recent months, we have been hearing that a new world order is being put in place. Instead of working with great world institutions like the United Nations, individual countries are determining the fate of the smaller and economically weaker countries. The strongest, the bulliest, and the proudest are the ones who seem to be winning the race for power, supremacy and influence. The smaller, weaker and silent countries seem to be just watching the game. In this context, we have this wonderful parable of the rich man and Lazarus. 

1. Visibility of contrast between the rich man and Lazarus

In the Gospel of Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is one of Jesus’ most unsettling stories, not because it is mysterious or difficult to understand, but because it is painfully clear. We encounter two characters: one who “dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted magnificently every day,” and another, Lazarus, who lay at his gate, covered with sores, longing for scraps. The scandal here is not merely the contrast in wealth, but the extent of indifference between them. Their differences are stark and strangely disgusting as well. 

Impossibility of Serving both God and Mammon!

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 21, 2025

Readings: Amos 8:4–7; Psalm 113:1–2, 4–6, 7–8; 1 Timothy 2:1–8; Luke 16:1–13

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/l_ZJC5FUmNo

Having seen many frauds, bankruptcies, financial irregularities, illegal activities, and dishonest managers in the business world, often, business ethics emphasizes that it is better to have people of integrity and sincerity as CEO's and CFO's than brilliant, well-educated individuals in top-most business schools of the world, but who are dishonest and people of duplicity. The world needs people of integrity and honesty. Businesses are built on trust and loyalty. Relationships are established and furthered through sincerity and honesty. The liturgical readings of this Sunday, especially the Gospel reading, speaks about trust, honesty and loyalty. Jesus gives a parable to his disciples and invites them to be trustworthy and ethical in whatever they do.

1. Living with Purpose and Clarity

This Sunday’s Gospel from Luke 16:1–13 unsettles us, leaves us wondering what exactly Jesus is hinting at or what is bothering Jesus with regard to his relationship with the disciples. Jesus is straightforward in communicating to his disciples what he thinks about certain values and convictions that the disciples must embody. Perhaps Jesus must have witnessed something that was not to his taste among his disciples, especially with regard to their loyalty towards him.  Jesus tells the story of a dishonest steward who, when faced with losing his job, cleverly reduces the debts of his master’s clients in order to secure his future. At first glance, it seems like Jesus is praising dishonesty. But he isn’t commending the steward’s corruption—He is praising his shrewdness, his ability to act decisively in a moment of crisis.

The Cross: A Paradox of Glory

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14, 2025

Readings: Numbers 21:4b-9; Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-38; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

 To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/KIXGjZKJSXU

Who among us desires crosses in life? None of us. A cross is usually understood as suffering, and suffering, in itself, is painful and unwanted. Yet, when it is embraced with faith, suffering takes on a new meaning and dimension. It becomes purposeful. We suffer for many reasons: an illness that weakens the body, the burden of age that no longer allows us the energy of youth, the indifference or unkindness of colleagues at work, the loneliness of a partner who does not share our thoughts and feelings, or the disappointment of unfulfilled desires. We suffer when faced with social evils like corruption, nepotism, jealousy, inequality, injustice and favouritism. We suffer when we feel utterly alone, with no one to listen or to walk with us. These are the daily crosses we carry.

But Jesus carried not just a symbol of suffering, but a real Cross—up the hill of Calvary—upon which he gave his very life. That Cross was not freely chosen but forced upon him through betrayal and conspiracy. Yet, by accepting it in love and obedience to the Father, he transformed it into the very source of our salvation. As we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are invited to do the same: to see our daily crosses not as meaningless burdens, but as paths to grace, redemption, and deeper union with Christ.

1. The Cross: A cause for greatness

Even before Jesus took up his Cross, thousands of people must have died on the cross during the Roman rule. Dying on the cross was the most shameful and heinous death a person could go through. However, with Jesus taking up the Cross, it becomes a symbol of salvation. The Cross, once a symbol of humiliation and death, becomes the very sign of life and victory. As Jesus says in John’s Gospel: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (Jn 3:14). On the Cross, the Son of God is lifted up not in defeat, but in triumph, bringing eternal life to all who believe. What the world saw as failure, God revealed as the supreme act of love: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (Jn 3:16).

Spiritual Awakening When Things are Left on God

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 07, 2025

Readings: Wisdom 9:13–18; Psalm 90:3–6, 12–17; Philemon 1:9–10, 12–17; Luke 14:25–33

God has blessed us with human intelligence. It is to make the best use of it for our growth, development, joy and happiness. However, God has created us as unique and special beings in this world. We distinguish ourselves by the way we make use of our intelligence. The ultimate purpose of our intelligence is to make this world and our life beautiful. Through our intelligence, we are called to be co-creators with God. In other words, we are invited to be part of God's vision. The realization of God's vision is that the human person is fully alive and active in this world. The liturgical readings, especially the Gospel passage for this Sunday, invite us to make the best use of our intelligence. That's why Jesus suggests a few practical tips, perhaps business tips on how to build a house, how to defend or win over an enemy and finally how to be a true disciple of our Lord. 

1. True discipleship costs personal ambitions

In today’s Gospel Luke 14:25–33, Jesus speaks words that can sound hard to our ears: “Whoever does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my disciple… Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” These words are not a rejection of family or of life itself, but a reminder that following Jesus requires total freedom of heart and complete commitment. It is to make a good judgment about one's life. Following the Lord is a commitment which might sometimes have to go against one's close family circles as well.