Today we examined the epistle reading that is designated for the Saturday of Souls services as well as the funeral service. Our discussion began with the theme of hope. As Christians, our hope is that we will be found as St. Paul says, “in Christ.” Here again, we were reminded that faith is not just an intellectual concept, but one that requires a trust in God to reverse the judgment of this world. Properly understood, we see that our hope as Christians is intimately connected to the judgement. Finally, in discussing the importance of the Saturday of Souls services, Father Aaron explained that the purpose of the services goes beyond our prayers for all the departed since the beginning of time. The Church places these services as bookends to the season of Great Lent, reminding all of us that we will die, we will be raised, and we will be judged.