32nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

My dear friends,

This past Monday we celebrated All Souls Day.  Our evening memorial Mass was especially moving as we welcomed back to our church of St. Julia all those families who’s loved one was called home this past year.  At the same time, we prayed for all those who have gone before us, and for those who mourn the loss of a friend or loved one.  The Mass is still available on the St. Julia YouTube Channel to view.
 
As we pray for all of these souls, and the souls who have no one to pray for them, we are reminded that we are all travelling down the same road, and that one day we too shall be called home.  Our readings for this Sunday encourage us to look at our lives and to ask ourselves the question, “If I was to be called home today, would I be ready?”  In Matthew 25:1-13, the whole point of this parable is that we must be ready for the Lord.  This means some work in the here and now, each and every day.  This is nothing to be afraid of, but it is a reminder.  We are here to help and to guide one another.  Yet at the end of the day we are responsible for how we live our lives.  Our first reading from Wisdom 6:12-15 encourages us to live well and to make good decisions about things.  This involves reflecting the wisdom of God as presented to us in the Bible that we hear proclaimed at our Mass and in our private reading of Scared Scripture.
 
It is up to us to be faithful to that wisdom, to call upon the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom we need, to use it in our life every day, and to give thanks every day.
 
Let us give thanks for the gift of our faith, and for all those who have gone before that lead us on the right path, both here on earth, and to our ultimate destination of heaven.
 
Wishing you a blessed weekend and week ahead,
Fr. Greg