Commemorating the Faithful Departed ~ Jay Schwermer

The gospel reading for today is so beautiful and comforting when it says, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Isn't that what we long for in this life? But isn't it our obligation to work for the kingdom here on Earth? Is that our labor and burden? Are we not asked to strive to follow in Jesus' footsteps for justice and peace in the world?

As it said in Romans, "God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us." As I heard our priest say during the homily, it is our moral obligation to pray for those who have died. Praying to the souls is saying I love you, as God said to us.

It is human nature to let things pass from memory, but do we let our love pass with time? Even if we didn't feel love for a person for whatever reason, Jesus asks us to love that person and reconcile. What better way than to pray for their souls?

No matter what the state of our relationship with a person who has left this life was, they will be accountable to God for what they have done, and failed to do. Thus, when they reach the heavenly banquet, they will be in full communion with Christ and ready to offer intercessions for us. They have been reconciled. They are now part of that love that is showered down on us.

So we can now more fully understand the Wisdom reading, "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 the elect." Praying for and to the departed becomes a joy and a value to us. It is part of God's grace and care as we move toward Christ and the Kingdom. Our labor and burdens seem lighter as our lives move toward God and the rest he offers.


~ All Souls Day ~