＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9

 The souls of the just are in the hands of God

And no torment shall touch them.  In the eyes of the unwise they appear to be dead. Their going is held as a disaster; it seems that they lose ev­ery­thing by departing from us, but they are in peace.

 Though seemingly they have been punished, immortality was the soul of their hope. After slight affliction will come great blessings, for God has tried them and found them worthy to be with him; after testing them as gold in the furnace, he has accepted them as a holocaust.

 At the time of his coming they will shine like sparks that run in the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king forever. Those who trust in him will penetrate the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love, for his grace and mercy are for his chosen ones.

 

Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6

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

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Romans 5:5-11

 And hope does not disappoint us because the Holy Spirit has been given to us, pouring into our hearts the love of God.  Consider, moreover, the time that Christ died for us: when we were still helpless and unable to do anything.  

Few would accept to die for an upright person; although, for a very good person, perhaps someone would dare to die.   But see how God manifested his love for us: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us   and we have become just through his blood. With much more reason now he will save us from any condemnation.   

Once enemies, we have been reconciled with God through the death of his Son; with much more reason now we may be saved through his life.  Not only that; we even boast in God be­cause of Christ Jesus, our Lord, through whom we have been reconciled.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 6:37-40

 Yet, all that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I shall not turn away. For I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me.

 And the will of him who sent me is that I lose nothing of what he has given me, but instead that I raise it up on the last day. This is the will of the Father, that whoever sees the Son and be­lieves in him shall live with eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

The text in the first reading is sometimes used in Requiem Masses. It speaks about death and the suffering of the good. No matter how great these sufferings are, they cannot be compared with the peace that comes after death.

“They seemed in the eyes of the foolish, to be dead, and their passing away was thought an affliction….. but they are in peace.” The psalm shows the image of a shepherd, as applied to God, as the True Shepherd of His people means a very personal and intimate relationship.

It is in the level of person to person and that He cares for His people individually. After saying that He is the Bread of life that comes down from heaven, it implies two main important proclamations: First – While the role of God the Son will be central to the salvation of humankind.

Second – we must not forget the role of God the Father. it is God the Father who gives the Son those who will be the Son’s disciples. Thus, Jesus assures us that he will throw out (ekballo) no one who comes to him.

The word ekballo comes from two Greek words, ek(out) and ballo (cast or throw). It suggests a decisive act – force. The person who throws something out is getting rid of it on purpose – is glad to be rid of it. Jesus assures us that we need not fear being cast out – expelled.