2 Mac 12:42-45; Phil 3:20-21; Lk 7:11-17
On this sacred day as we commemorate All Souls, our hearts are drawn to the mystery that has accompanied humanity from the beginning of time—the longing for life beyond death. The search for immortality is as old as humanity itself. Allow me to begin with a story that reflects this deep desire.
Many centuries ago, in ancient Mesopotamia, there lived a mighty king named Gilgamesh. He was powerful, successful, feared in battle, and ruler of a prosperous kingdom. Yet something troubled him. His closest friend Enkidu died, and for the first time, the mighty king faced the reality of death. Fear gripped his heart. All his victories, his palaces, his strength, his wealth—none of it could stop death. Gilgamesh could not accept that his life would end like every other mortal. So he set out on a long, perilous journey to find the secret of eternal life. He crossed mountains, passed through forests and darkness, and sailed across seas to meet the only man said to have achieved
immortality. But when he finally found him and heard what was required, Gilgamesh failed the test. He returned home empty-handed, realizing that no earthly power could win immortality. Thousands of years have passed since that story was first told, yet the human heart remains the same. Kings, emperors, scientists, philosophers, and ordinary men and women—every one searches, in some way, for life that does not end.There is a striking story told about Alexander the Great. After conquering much of the known world, Alexander approached an Indian sage who was known for wisdom and holiness. Alexander stood before him with all the pride of a conqueror and said, “I am the great Alexander. I have conquered lands and nations. Is there anything more left for me to achieve?” The wise man looked at him and said calmly, “Yes, conquer yourself.” Alexander was taken aback, but then he said, “I have heard that you possess the secret of immortality. Give me a little of immortality.”
The sage smiled and replied, “Immortality cannot be given to one who is still enslaved by his desires, his pride, and his greed. You claim you have conquered the world, but you have not conquered your heart. Immortality belongs not to those who rule the earth, but to those who rule their soul.” Alexander became silent. He offered gold, silver, jewels, and even land in exchange for the secret of eternal life. But the sage said, “The path to immortality is not purchased, but lived. Live a life of virtue, humility, truth, and goodness—then you will find immortality beyond death.” Alexander left disappointed. He continued his conquests, but the words never left his mind. He conquered kingdoms, but never conquered his own heart. And at the age of thirty-three, death came to him like every other mortal. He was forced to accept that he could not control the very thing he feared the most. Before he died, he gave three instructions for his funeral: that his doctors should carry his coffin, to show that no physician can stop death; that gold, silver, and precious stones be scattered along the road, to show how worthless wealth is in the face of death; and that his hands be left hanging outside the coffin, to show that even the greatest emperor leaves the world empty-handed. Alexander spent his life searching for immortality, but he learned too late that eternal life is not won by power—it is received through a life lived rightly.
Even in our modern world, the search continues. Some scientists believe technology or artificial intelligence will one day preserve human consciousness; some billionaires invest fortunes in anti-aging research, hoping to extend life indefinitely. Others preserve their bodies in frozen chambers, believing they will be revived in the future. But my dear friends, death still comes to every person, rich or poor, strong or weak, powerful or unknown. Humanity keeps searching for something that only God can give.
And this brings us to the comforting words of today’s Gospel from John 6:37-40, where Jesus says: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. 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.”
What humanity failed to achieve through power, science, philosophy, or magic, God offers freely through His Son. Immortality is not earned; it is gifted. Eternal life is not found by searching the ends of the world; it is received by turning to Jesus Christ. He alone conquered death.
My dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on All Souls’ Day, we remember that we are not created for the grave but for eternity. The longing for eternal life in the heart of man is placed there by God. And the Gospel today assures us that God Himself desires our salvation. He wills that none be lost. He wills that all may have eternal life. Jesus tells us that He will not reject anyone who comes to Him. What a consolation this is! The world may reject us, society may ignore us, even friends may abandon us, but Christ never will.
In the Old Testament, the Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 90: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Wisdom begins when we remember that life on earth is short. Job, in his suffering, declared, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return.” Ecclesiastes repeats again and again that everything “under the sun” is vanity, passing like the wind. The Old Testament never hides the truth: earthly life is temporary, but the soul belongs to God.
St. Paul reinforces this truth. He tells us in 2 Corinthians 5 that our earthly bodies are like tents, temporary dwellings, but in heaven God prepares a permanent home. In Philippians 3, Paul reminds us that “our true citizenship is in heaven.” Jesus Himself asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” My dear friends, every Scripture passage echoes the same truth—earth is not our final destination.
On All Souls’ Day, we remember the countless millions who lived before us. Generations have come and gone. Empires rose and fell. Civilizations flourished and then disappeared. The pyramids of Egypt remain, but the Pharaohs are gone. The mighty Roman Empire has faded into history. Ancient India, Greece, Persia, Mesopotamia—all had brilliant cultures, powerful armies, wise philosophers, and great rulers, but none survived death. Time has erased kings and beggars alike. Names once celebrated are now forgotten. How many of us know the names of our great-great-grandparents? As time passes, memories fade, gravestones crumble, and human glory disappears like a shadow.
But, this day is not about sadness. It is a day of hope. The world may forget, but God remembers. Even if history erases names, they are written in the heart of God. We may forget our ancestors, but God never forgets His children. Jesus promises that He will lose none of those the Father has entrusted to Him. Our hope is not in earthly remembrance; our hope is in divine remembrance.
Let us remember the people we pray for today. They were once like us. They laughed, worked, ate, built homes, dreamed, loved, suffered, and struggled. They had joys and sorrows. Once they were full of life. Then, like a candle, the flame went out. Today we remember them, not with fear but with faith. We pray for their souls, trusting in God’s mercy and love. And we know that one day others will pray for us.
Life is short. Like a flower that blooms at sunrise and withers by evening, our days pass quickly. Instead of living burdened with anxiety, disappointment, or regrets, we are called to live with gratitude. Every day is a gift. Every moment is a blessing. Rather than focusing on what we lack, we are invited to rejoice in what we have. God gives us each day to love, to forgive, to grow, to bless, and to prepare our souls for eternity.
There is a story told of a wealthy man who was obsessed with his possessions. He accumulated wealth, owned many houses, and feared losing any of it. One day a wise old priest visited him and took him to a window. “Look,” he said, “what do you see?” The man replied, “I see people walking on the streets.” The priest then took him to a mirror and said, “What do you see now?” The man answered, “I see myself.” The priest smiled and said, “The window and the mirror are both made of glass. The only difference is that the mirror has a thin layer of silver behind it. When we add wealth, we stop seeing others and see only ourselves.” How true this is for many today! Wealth itself is not wrong, but when it blinds us, it becomes a mirror that reflects only ourselves, and we forget God and others.
My dear friends, life is not measured by the number of years we live, but by the love we share. When we stand before God, He will not ask us how much we earned, what position we held, or how influential we were. He will ask us how we loved, how we forgave, how we cared for those entrusted to us, and whether we lived with faith.
All Souls’ Day also reminds us to live with hope. Death is not the end. In fact, death is the doorway to eternal life for those who believe. Jesus promises, “I shall raise him on the last day.” This is the Christian hope. We do not fear death because Christ has gone before us. He has prepared a place for us. He waits for us with open arms. When we lose a loved one, we feel the pain of separation, but our faith tells us that they live with God. We pray for them, and we know they pray for us.
Life on earth is passing. Generations have lived before us. Many civilizations have risen and fallen. Time erases names, memories, and achievements. If this life is so temporary, why be consumed with worry, stress, jealousy, or pride? Instead, let us cherish the time God has given us. Enjoy the blessings of today. Appreciate the people around you. Live with peace, not bitterness. Forgive quickly. Love deeply. Pray sincerely. Do good quietly. Smile often. And above all, stay close to Jesus—the only one who gives eternal life.
Let us live each day as a preparation for eternity, not with fear but with joy. Our life is a gift, not a burden. Our faith is a strength, not an obligation. Our journey is guided by God, not by chance. And our final destination is heaven, not the grave.
Satish