Sunday Gospel Reflection, November 2, 2025: They shall shine as sparks through stubble

They shall shine as sparks through stubble…
Do we believe in the promise of salvation for All Souls? 

   In the midst of his Bread of Life Discourse in John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowds that it is his Father’s will that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. It is a promise of salvation for all, a promise of hope, a promise of eternal life in perfect union with the Lord. 

   But before that can happen, we must undergo a continual process of transformation. The Book of Wisdom reminds us that although the just suffer, yet is their hope full of immortality. However, purification is necessary: As gold in the fire, God proved them, the author of Wisdom says, testing them by metaphorical fire, that their impurities might rise to the surface and be removed. As sparks darting about through stubble, they can then be the source of salvation for others, living on in the memory of their community. But trust is required, as Psalm 23 reminds us: Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil, for you are at my side. God will lead them through the darkness, that they might shine. 

   As Paul reminds the Romans, we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. In baptism, we are one with him, dying with him so that we can be raised with him. And so, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too will God raise us, that we too might live in newness of life. Our old self did not know about salvation; our new self is growing in knowledge of God’s love for us. Like the souls who have gone before us, we are in the process of being perfected, drawn into the eternal embrace of God. Though we may face difficulties, we can be confident in God’s consistent, true love for us, which will support us as we continue to grow, change, and be purified. Then, as gold that shines or sparks amid stubble, we will be witnesses of the love of God that is eternal, and Christ will be revealed through us. 

This post is based on Fr Pat’s Scripture Class.
Image source: www.wordclouds.com