ISAIAH 25: 6-9
ROMANS 5: 5-11
MARK 15: 33-39; 16:1-6
One of the hardest things I have to do as a priest is to be with the family of someone who has just passed away. It is so difficult to find the right words.
But whilst I do not have the words, the most comforting words is that which comes from God: the promise of eternal life which gives hope and comfort. It is a promise that is made real through the death and resurrection of Jesus, His Son. It is when we pray together that I find the family finds most comfort in.
For that reason, it is a very humbling experience for me. There is nothing I can offer but so much that God wants to say to us.
And so being there with the family for me is also a great faith experience. For it reminds me of our dependence on God and how important it is to grow in my faith in God.
Recently, I was visiting mother who was only 46years old who was close to death. She had two teenage children. She said that she had accepted what was and was ready to go to God. Her faith in God shone out in that difficult time. Her faith revealed her trust and belief in God’s love for her, knowing that God was with her especially then and that our earthly death is not the end.
And so, the Christian funeral is always a celebration. It is a strange thing to say, but at the funeral, we are celebrating God’s love for us, by proclaiming Jesus’ Death and Resurrection which gives life. And so as we pray for God’s mercy for the deceased, we commend their soul to a new life with God for all eternity.
And all this is what All Souls Day is about. It celebrates God’s love for us, a love that will never die, a love that has conquered death, a love that gives new life. It celebrates God’s desire that we will be united with His love in heaven forever.
Yesterday in the feast of All Saints we thanked God for those who are united with Him in the eternal kingdom who are praying for us. Today we pray for the souls in purgatory waiting to be united in God’s heavenly banquet. Our prayers for them help their souls to be open to God’s mercy as they long to be united in God’s love.
As God’s family we are all united in prayer for each other.
And so this is a day not only for quiet remembering and praying for those especially our loved ones who have died but also for a strengthening our faith in God’s gift of eternal life. And so, even though All Souls Day seems to be surrounded by the atmosphere of death, it is really about life: your life, my life, the life of the people we remember, the spiritual life that ties us together and eternal life in the Lord.
Today we proclaim our faith: that through Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, we have the promise of eternal life.
Merredin Catholic Parish 