The month of All Souls is a good time to brush up on church teaching regarding the "last things": resurrection of the body, eternal life and the afterlife, cremation, viaticum, and prayer for the dead, among others.

Today’s reading is a difficult challenge to priests, deacons, anyone who preaches, and all church leaders.

For most of us, the moment comes when we are barely into our teens. Suddenly the grown-ups—who, up to now, have been omnipotent—are revealed to be what they are: mere mortals like the man behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz.

It was a bad day. Sixth grade—the one without a Sister of Mercy teaching—with Miss Daley, a teacher for at least 100 years. I wasn’t listening to her.

One day it dawned on me that my eighth-grade teacher was a phony. He was a decent person, I suppose, but he was young and insecure in his first year of teaching.

A number of years ago comedian Billy Crystal had a running gag portraying Fernando, a quintessential Hollywood character. Crystal would come on talk shows and greet the host with an enthusiastic, "You look mahvelous!"

As we stand before the table of God's love, we turn to God's loving care for mercy and forgiveness.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.