Homily
for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) (B) (2nd
November, 2018) on the Commemoration
Is 25:6-9;Ps 26:1.4.7-9.13-14 (R. v.1 or v.13);
Rom 5:5-11;
Mk 15:33-39; 16:1-6.
Topic: Why pray for the dead?
In our homily for the Solemnity of
All Saints we celebrated yesterday, we outlined the three parts (states) of the
church, namely the Church Triumphants, the Church Militants, and the Church
Sufferings. As a family, these three states of the church relate and also help
each other.
We rejoiced and glorified God in the
Solemnity of All Saints for the Church Triumphants (those already in heaven). And
today, we are at the door of God’s mercy pleading for the eternal repose of our
numerous brothers and sisters who although have left this world but are not as
perfect as they ought to (cf. Matt 5:48).
These Holy Souls are according to the Catholic belief in Purgatory. To better
understand the Catholic belief in Purgatory, click on this link: http://www.thepulpitonline.com/2017/11/belief-in-purgatory-and-praying-for.html
Saint James rightly advised us to
pray for one another, cf. Jas 5:16. In
line with this text, yesterday while glorifying God we also ask for the
intercession of all the saints. And today, as we commemorate all the faithful
departed, we pray to God for their happy repose. Although we normally say or
hear that repentance is not possible in the grace yet God listens to such
supplications. We read from the letter of Saint John,
If you see your brother or sister committing
what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one –
to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say
that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that
is not mortal (1Jn 5:16-17).
Some of the souls in Purgatory are
there because they died in a state of sin that is not mortal which only
requires our prayers and sacrifices to be forgiven. And there are many of our
brothers and sisters who died in this state; although they are not dammed
because they did not die in the state of mortal sin yet they do not see God immediately
because nothing unclean shall enter the kingdom of heaven (Rev 21:27). This is just part of the reason we pray for those who
have died. Even if you do not believe in the word Purgatory, because may be the
word is not found in the bible I urge you to pray for the dead because nothing in
the bible contradicts praying for the dead. No one is too sure the state in
which many including your beloved ones died.
Bible Readings: Dan 12:1-13; 1Jn 5:16-17.
Silent Prayer:
Your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise (Is 26:19).
Let us pray: May the souls of
the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace – Amen.
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