Daily Reflections ...

Part of the entrance antiphon for today’s All Souls’ Day Mass contains the words: ‘For as in Adam all die; even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’ (1 Cor 15:22 KJV).  On reading this text from St Paul, I have to confess that my immediate thoughts turned to the great German composer Handel and his immortal oratorio ‘Messiah’.  In Part III of the work, Handel sets to music this text for full chorus in a remarkably inspiring and breathtaking way, beginning with a slow and barely audible first phrase (Since by man came death), followed by an exuberant and dramatic outpouring of joy and emotion (by Man came also the resurrection of the dead).  The second section – today’s entrance antiphon – is in similar style.

If you really want to get another sense of the richness and hopefulness contained in this text, then take a moment – alone at home, sipping a latte at your favourite coffee shop or walking your family pooch – to listen to a recording of this extraordinary piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tViHs7MeTk

Today’s Gospel is an account of various witnesses’ experiences of the death and resurrection of Jesus.  But what speaks to us most loudly here is the singular declaration by that centurion in Mark 15:39 – who, let’s face it, as an outsider didn’t really need to say anything; but moved by what he was witnessing he spoke up, and our faith is affirmed because he did. Jesus, truly is the Son of God and in that same Christ we shall all be made alive!

May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

By Gerry Crooks