A wrestle is at hand in our modern society today as we attempt to position ourselves in a world that is ever changing. All Souls Day helps us to remember that we all have come from somewhere, from people who have gone before us. Among the Church’s seven spiritual works of mercy we are encouraged to pray for the ‘Living and the Dead’. Through this we remember our loved ones who have gone before us in this earthly life; a work that is particularly emphasised for All Souls Day.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church informs us that those who die in God’s grace and friendship are assured of eternal salvation, however some of us require a period of purification before entering into the Beatific Vision and full union with God. The purification process is termed ‘Purgatory’ by the Church. As one priest explained, this process is a one-way street towards heavenly glory. We on earth, are able to assist the souls on their journey through our prayers.
Casting our minds on our loved ones and ancestors impresses on our awareness that this world is not the finality of our existence. For one generation comes and another generation goes, we are merely part of a divine chain of humanity on this earth. The Old Testament repeatedly refers to the Lord introducing himself as the ‘God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob’. It shows that God is a generational God, what our ancestors have bestowed to us and what we are to provide for future generations is important to Him.
Let us continue to remind ourselves of this truth, eternity is our true destination and our loved ones who have passed are not gone forever, for we shall be reunited with them. In the book of Job, the writer shows the tragic loss of Job’s children, seven sons & three daughters, along with his belongings. The story concludes with the Lord restoring to Job double of what he had lost at the end of his trials. Numerically speaking, God blesses Job two times as much in livestock and material things. However, Job receives seven daughters and three sons again, not fourteen sons and six daughters. Job lost the first set of children only for this life, he would be reunited with all his children in the heavenly realm, a total of fourteen sons and six daughters. It is almost certain that many of us would have close friends & family who would have passed away before us. The pain is real and the sorrow can sting deeply. However, in the midst of this grief we are invited by the Church to participate in All Souls Day and pray for those souls, and to be consoled with the fact that they are on their journey towards the arms of our Heavenly Father. We in turn will one day do the same.
The apostle Paul teaches us that our trials on earth are miniscule compared to our eternal future. “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4: 17-18). We are encouraged to see the world through eternal lenses. Ironically, when we realise the finite nature of this world, we are better equipped to enjoy the present world for what it is knowing that there is something better to come.
On this year’s All Souls Day let us honour & pray for our loved ones and for those in purgatory. We also pray that our hearts may be fixed on Christs invitation to the heavenly banquet in eternity, and not to be seduced by the shallow offerings of this world.