2025/11/02 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

- Margaret Gilman, Interim Director of Religious Education

The Responsorial Psalm for today, “The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want.” is chosen as the Psalm to be read at many memorial masses.  The psalm provides comfort, reassurance, and hope to those who are grieving.  If we follow the Lord, we shall want for nothing, and all our needs will be met.  The divine Shepherd will guide us, protect us, and in the case of Jesus even lay down his life for us.   

If we believe in this and put our faith in the Lord, then really there should be no anxiety, worry, or doubt in our decisions on this earth.  That’s where it gets tricky.  As humans, we are so susceptible to doubt and anxiety.  We worry about problems big and small.  We worry often about things which we have no control over and we also worry about things we do.  As parents we worry over and for our children.  This Gospel tells us though that we can put that worry, anxiety and fear aside.  God has us.  God will not reject anyone who comes to him.   

As the director of Religious Education, I have had the opportunity to recently attend the parent orientations for students preparing for Reconciliation as well as the retreat for students preparing for Confirmation.  The Reconciliation students are preparing for the gift of forgiveness that Reconciliation provides.  The Confirmation students are preparing to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit offered through Confirmation.  In both those sacraments God’s immense love, offer of invitation, and unwavering forgiveness are present.  It is an honor and a blessing to work with parents as they help to prepare their children to accept, “The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want.”