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Word Sharing Circle (WSC) Reflection Guide
November 2, 2025 (Cycle C, Year I) – The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed – All Souls’ Day

Community Word: We live with hope for eternal life in Christ the King.
Theme: We live with hope for eternal life when we believe in the promise of the resurrection.
Promise: “… everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day,” (Jn 6:40)

Reflection:
As we commemorate All Souls' Day, we are reminded of the promise that those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life, and God will raise them on the last day. Our theme tells us that we live with hope for eternal life when we believe in the promise of the resurrection. On this day, we remember with love and faith all the faithful departed – those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. On this day, we reaffirm our belief in God’s promise that death is not the end, but a passage into everlasting life with Him.

The first reading from Wisdom 3:1-9 brings great consolation to grieving hearts: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” (Wis 3:1). These words offer comfort to those who have lost loved ones, assuring us that death is not the end, but rather a transition to eternal life. Their hope is full of immortality, and their sufferings on earth are now transformed into eternal glory.
The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 23) is a beautiful expression of trust in God's guidance and care. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." These words echo through the ages, offering reassurance to all who face uncertainty or fear. They remind us that our departed loved ones are now led by the Good Shepherd to the house of the Lord forever. The psalm also assures us that even in the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us, guiding and protecting us.

In Romans 6:3-9, St. Paul reminds us that through baptism we were united with Christ in His death and resurrection, symbolizing the end of our old sinful selves and the beginning of a new life in Christ. This union gives us new life and the hope that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too shall live with Him forever. Death no longer holds dominion over us, for the life we now live is rooted in Christ’s victory over sin and death.

The Gospel reading from John 6:37-40 gives the foundation of our Christian hope. Jesus promises, "… everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day," (Jn 6:40). He declares that all who come to Him will never be cast out, and that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. His words reaffirm the promise of resurrection and eternal communion with God. This is the hope that sustains us as we remember and pray for the dead – that they may share fully in this eternal promise.

As we commemorate All Souls’ Day, the Church invites us to intercede for the souls in purgatory. Our prayers, sacrifices, and acts of charity assist them in their purification, hastening their entrance into the joy of heaven. Praying for the dead is a profound expression of love and faith. It bridges the living and the departed, affirming our belief in the Communion of Saints and the life of the world to come.

As we honor the faithful departed, we are also reminded of the importance of living a life of faith, hope, and love. We strive to live our lives in accordance with God's will, seeking to grow in holiness and virtue. We know that our time on this earth is short, and that we will all face death at some point. But we also know that death is not the end, and that we will be raised to eternal life if we believe in Jesus.

Prayer:
Merciful Lord Jesus, You are the Resurrection and the Life. We entrust to Your mercy the souls of all the faithful departed. Purify them with the fire of Your love and bring them into the joy of Your eternal kingdom. Grant us, who still journey in faith, the grace to live with steadfast hope in Your promise of resurrection. Amen.
“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls into heaven especially those who are most in need of your mercy. Amen.”

Reflection Guide Questions:
1. How does my belief in the resurrection influence the way I face loss, suffering, and death?
2. In what concrete ways can I express my love for departed family members and friends through prayer and remembrance?
3. How can I live each day as a person of hope, preparing my soul for eternal life with God?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
November 2, 2025 (Sun) – Wis 3:1-9/ Ps 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6/ Rom 6:3-9/ Jn 6:37-40
November 3, 2025 (Mon) – Rom 11:29-36/ Ps 69:30, 31, 33, 34, 36/ Lk 14:12-14
November 4, 2025 (Tue) – Rom 12:5-16/ Ps 131:1-3/ Lk 14:15-24
November 5, 2025 (Wed) – Rom 13:8-10/ Ps 112:1, 2, 4, 5, 9/ Lk 14:25-33
November 6, 2025 (Thu) – Rom 14:7-12/ Ps 27:1, 4, 13, 14/ Lk 15:1-10
November 7, 2025 (Fri) – Rom 15:14-21/ Ps 98:1-4/ Lk 16:1-8
November 8, 2025 (Sat) – Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27/ Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 10-11/ Lk 16:9-15

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”

Weekly: Theme, Promise, Order, Direction and Prophesies (bldworld.org)