Listen to Lectio Divine – November 2 – 3.2 min

Anchored Beyond the Horizon

Monday, November 2 - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
| Gospel: John 6:37–40

Let us pause for a moment, prepare our hearts, and slowly read the Gospel.

Jesus speaks of the Father’s will: that everyone who comes to Him may have eternal life. He gives us this beautiful promise: “I will raise him on the last day.”

Jesus assures us that He will never reject anyone who comes to Him. The Father desires that none of those entrusted to Jesus should be lost.

Today, as we commemorate all the faithful departed, we remember those who have gone before us and entrust them to the Lord, who promises us the Resurrection.

Earthly life is precious. Every day, we experience the beauty of creation: the sun, the moon, the oceans, the flowers, and so many other wonders that reveal God’s love and perfection. All these gifts remind us of the goodness of the One who created us.

Yet, our life on earth is temporary. As Scripture reminds us in Hebrews 13:14: “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”

We are called to enjoy this life with gratitude, without becoming so attached to it that we forget our eternal destination. We are pilgrims on a journey toward our true home.

If earthly life is already so beautiful, how wonderful must eternal life with Jesus be! In the Resurrection, there will be no more death, sickness, or suffering, but the fullness of God’s perfect love.

And Jesus does not leave us alone on this journey. In the Eucharist, He gives himself to us as the Bread of Life, nourishing us and strengthening us as we walk toward eternal communion with Him.

Let us reflect:

Do I live each day with gratitude for the gift of life?
Am I so afraid of losing this earthly life that I sometimes forget the promise of eternal life?
Are my eyes, my heart, and my desires fixed on heaven?

Photo: Piero della Francesca (1463-1465), La Resurrezione, Museo Civico San Sepolcro.

Let’s Pray

Jesus, thank you for the promise of the Resurrection. You assure us that whoever comes to you will never be rejected and that you will raise us on the last day.

Help me to choose to walk toward you each day, to believe more deeply in your love, and to grow in my desire to follow you. Teach me to live according to your will, trusting that you desire my true happiness.

Thank you for the beauty of this earthly life. Help me to receive each day as a gift, to appreciate the people and blessings you place in my path, and to live as a pilgrim journeying toward eternity. Nourish me with your presence, especially in the Eucharist, so that I may remain close to you until we meet face to face.

Let us remain in silence and contemplate Jesus, who promises to welcome us and raise us on the last day. Rest in this promise. Allow his love to strengthen your hope and free your heart from fear.

Today, let us entrust our departed loved ones to Jesus in prayer. Let us also choose to live this day with gratitude, allowing the promise of eternal life to guide our decisions and keep our hearts fixed on heaven.