November 2, 2009, Monday ALL SOULS

Read: Wis. 3: 1-9 Rom. 5: 5-11 Jn. 6: 37-40

Opening Prayer
 

“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, ...but that I should raise it on the last day... that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life....” (Jn. 6:37-40)

Many people claim to believe, yet want nothing to do with "religion" (no time, scandals, etc).

It strikes me so odd at funeral time that so many people come forth asking for Rosaries, Masses and gravesides and solace from the Church that they rarely fre­quented, much less hardly EVER had time to belong.

It is literally a JOY for me to celebrate Christian burial for an active parishioner who has dedi­cated their life to their personal sanctification and the evangeliza­tion of the Church, regardless of their past sins. It is a moment of sheer contentment to sprinkle holy water as a symbol of the de­ceased’s baptism in Christ during their life if they lived in a manner worthy of the title CHRISTIAN.

On the other hand, I am appre­hensive at the funeral of a person who took lightly Jesus’ teachings, invitations, admonitions and call to relationship.

Our relationship to God, our neighbor and Eternal life, is not something to be taken lightly.

Reflection and commentary

Psalm 23:4 “Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.”

Based on ancient Christian tradi­tion, St. Odilo of Cluny in 988 established a memorial to all the faithful departed. It quickly spread elsewhere, being accepted in Rome in the 13th century. The entire month of November, and especially ALL SOULS DAY, is a traditional time for visiting graves and remembering “those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith” in our prayers and devotions.

Our Prayer Continues