“Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.” (MAL 3: 1)

Our Lord always is behind the scenes—He always prepares, He always supports, and even when He expects us to do something, His grace and support are always with us. He makes our meeting and relationship possible; He comes down, knowing how much we need His support.

“O King of all nations and keystone of the Church; come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!” (Gospel Acclamation)

“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 in peace.” (WIS 3: 1-3) 

We celebrate today the Feast of All the Faithful Departed when we pray especially for our relatives who are gone. We miss them, we remember them, “their going forth from us, utter destruction,” but today’s liturgy reminds us that “they are in peace.” They have met God, Who is love, and they are much closer to us than we can imagine. 

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (ROM 5: 20-21)

This is Our Lord’s strategy for keeping balance in the world: “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.” He is always more than we can imagine; He is first in love, first in mercy, and first with His grace to help us, to lead us, to protect us. When we meet some difficulties in our families, it is good to remember that it is just a call for more love, more gentleness, and more respect. Love is the only answer. 

“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” (ZEC 8: 23)

One man, a true believer, can inspire “ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues.” We have a huge responsibility within our families and workplaces, in our parishes and in our neighborhoods. When people can see how much we love our spouses, how much we respect them and how creative and joyful we are in being a giver of self, it will be much easier for them to follow our example.

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.’” (LK 9: 47-48) 

Our Lord knows our hearts. There is nothing hidden from Him. This is good because knowing our hearts, He can help us grow, He can help us change our perspective and make us really “the greatest.”

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Then he said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter said in reply, ‘The Christ of God.’” (LK 9: 20) 

So much depends on our answers. Our children’s faith depends on this, how our colleagues or neighbors will receive us depends on this, our relationships depend on this. Starting every day with St. Peter’s proclamation “You are the Christ of God” can initiate a chain reaction. 

“The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (JN 3: 16-17)  

Our Lord is merciful, full of compassion, Who came to save us-“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” Whatever He sees, He always looks for salvation, how to protect us and save us, not “to condemn.” In our married life we can do the same-defend our spouses always. 

“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.” (LK 5: 3)

It happens sometimes, that we think that Our Lord separated from us when we do not feel Him close. When He does it, it could be because He wanted our attention, He wanted to show us an important lesson, maybe even invite us to a totally different place-like “I will make you fishers of men.” And even He is separated, it is just “a short distance from the shore.”

“Come after me, says the Lord, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath,
and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.” (LK 4: 31-32)

It is good to receive advice when we are in a difficult situation or question; we can travel far to meet somebody who can give us advice. When we listen to Jesus, and He is at our fingertips-in the Bible, in our hearts, in the Blessed Sacrament, at our church-we listen to Somebody, Who speaks “with authority.” He does, because HE is our Creator, Who loves us and wants on the best for us.

“A great prophet has arisen in our midst and God has visited his people.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

“We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” (JN 1: 45) 

The moment when we “have found Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth,” changed our lives forever. It could have been many years ago or it happened relatively recently, but it happened and we are different. Our Lord came and stayed with us. Through Him we look for God’s will, for a better relationship with our relatives and friends. Jesus helps us to love in a way we have never experienced.

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” (Gospel Acclamation)