All Souls

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. 

For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation, they shall shine and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. 

Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect. (Wisdom 3:1-9)

Today is All Souls Day.  According to Wisdom, the souls of the just are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them.  I suppose that means that the souls of the unjust are someplace else with torment touching them.  I imagine that’s hell where we end up when we – the unjust – slip through His fingers.

I’m reminded of a popular Christmas song.

God’s making a list

God’s checking it twice

God’s gonna find out

Who's unjust or just

The Lord is comin' to town

The Lord is comin' to town

The Lord is comin' to town

God sees us when we're sleeping

God knows when we're awake

God knows if we've been unjust or just

So be just for goodness sake!

We, the just, who trust in him understand truth, and we faithful abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with us, and God’s care is with us.  There is much incentive for us to be just: peace instead of utter destruction.  So let’s be just for our own sake.

Deacon David Pierce