The Souls Of The Just
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace. (Wis 3:1-3)
When we talk about “fools”, we generally mean someone who is stupid.
However, the Old Testament definition of a fool was someone who was godless and immoral. Fools could not possibly consider resurrection because they had no faith, no belief.
To a fool, then, death would seem to be a curse. People who died would go away to utter destruction.
But, to the believer, the souls of the just are in the hand of God. There is resurrection and new life for which to hope. There is not death. There is only everlasting life.
This is a very comforting thought to us, especially as we fondly remember our faithful departed throughout the month of November.
Knowing the suffering that many of them went through, it is good to believe — to know — that they are in peace.
FAITH ACTION: Recall your family and friends who have died. Fondly remember them. Commit them to the Lord.