I Once Was Lost

Greetings on this the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
(All Souls)
Readings: Wis 3:1-9; PS 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Rom 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40
Notes: I was lost once.

A personal story.

When I was a little boy we lived in the Rockaway projects. I took it upon myself to trick-or-treat in the buildings even though I was way too young to venture out like that.
But off I went. I don’t think the adventure was a long time or even successful in getting candy. By dusk I looked up and I knew I was in trouble. I did not know which building.
I did not know which floor of which building. So I just stood there. Probably cried, but I can’t say for sure. But, lost, oh yeah, lost. Time went on forever. It got darker and darker. I just stood there.

I do remember three girls approached me and asked my name. I was too frightened to answer. But they knew I was lost. In the ways of people of good will, they figured things out. They knew how to get me home.

So this merry band of girls brought me to the right building, the right elevator, the right apartment door and delivered me to my completely shocked Mother.

Angels among us, Saint Paul says about good people. Angels among us.

And so it is with G-d.
He knows we get lost from time to time.
But he wants us home again.
He sends his angels to guide us, human and otherwise.

They are in peace.
There is nothing I shall want (because the thing I want most for you, me, and all the departed…. to be home again.)

Jesus: I will not reject anyone who comes to me.

Reference: https://www.cityneighborhoods.nyc/far-rockaway and https://archleague.org/article/housing-on-the-edge-a-brief-history-of-arverne/
Recent: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/10/31/three-measures-of-yeast/
Recent: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2023/11/01/so-we-are/

First Reading
But they are in peace.

Responsorial
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading
Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.

For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

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

Gospel
Jesus said to the crowds:

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry