Matthew 25; 31-46 The Commemoration of All Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Sharing Guidelines

*Sharing is not a time for teaching or debate; it is a time to sense the marvelous work of the Holy Spirit who leads the gathering.
*Reflection sharing is not meant to teach others but to share the meaning you personally have discovered. Therefore, do not criticize or debate another person’s sharing. Avoid boasting of your own understanding or knowledge.
*Respect the grace of the Holy Spirit, who reveals the meaning of the Word while dwelling among us, and listen attentively to others’ sharing, holding it in your heart.
*Keep confidential any personal reflections or stories shared in the group; practicing brotherly love means not passing along private matters outside the meeting.
*When speaking, always use the first person singular (“I”). Be careful not to distance or generalize your story by using the third person (“he,” “they”) or the first person plural (“we”).
*Keep it short.

Gospel

Matthew 25, 31-46

The Judgment of the Nations 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?

39 When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41 Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ 44 Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ 45 He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ 46 And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

Today’s Reflection
“Blessed are you.” Jesus’ words to the crowd must have been a great comfort and encouragement to those living in difficult and challenging situations. He promised them a reward in the future. But the happiness He gives is not only for the future. True happiness also means experiencing it in our present life. The final part of this blessing is directed to those who suffer or are persecuted because they witness God and Jesus: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven will be great.” Along with the reward in heaven, Jesus also calls us to rejoice and be glad here and now.

Faith has two sides. One is future-oriented. Like the hope that goes beyond death, or remembering and praying for those who have passed away, it is about receiving the eternal life promised by Jesus. But this alone is not enough. Faith also has a present-oriented side. It is about living true happiness and eternal life through our faith right here and now.

The time we live is not just something to endure. Even in difficult circumstances, it is a time to “rejoice and be glad.” God will surely give His promised gifts to those who believe. And we need to live in a way that we can taste and experience this happiness already in the present.
(허규 베네딕토 신부)
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Today’s Reflection
Catholic faith does not only seek worldly well-being or peace of mind. It also does not teach that death is the end of life’s journey. Catholic faith teaches that, just as Christ was resurrected, Christians too will rise again.

In the first reading, Job experiences suffering he cannot understand, yet he does not lose his faith and hope in God. “After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” In the second reading, Saint Paul speaks of the hope of Christians: “Brothers and sisters, hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that we have received.”

The Gospel presents Jesus proclaiming true happiness. The teaching shows that the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness are truly happy. They can be happy because they place their faith and hope in God.

In this way, Catholic faith speaks of hope. Christians, like Abraham—the ancestor of faith who “hoped even when there was no hope” (Romans 4:18)—do not let go of hope in God, even in despair. Therefore, at the first Mass of All Souls’ Day, when we remember all who have passed, we are invited to pray with hope rather than sorrow. We believe that just as Christ, who promised us true happiness, was resurrected, we too will rise one day. We hold hope for a joyful time with those who have gone before us, united with God. (김상우 바오로 신부)

Gospel Sharing:

1. Let’s talk about words or phrases that thouches your heart.

2. (Happiness we can taste now) Reflect on a moment when you experienced God’s true happiness even in difficult situations. What small actions or efforts help you maintain that joy?

3. (Future hope and present faith) Between the hope of eternal life that faith gives and the joy you feel with God in this moment, which part of your faith would you like to grow deeper, and why?

4. “Joy in Hardship” Have you ever faced difficulties because of your faith? How did you remember Jesus’ words, “Rejoice and be glad,” during that time?