Homily
for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) (C) (2nd
November, 2019) 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;
Lk 7:11-17.
Few years back, there was an
obituary announcement over the radio and the television of a deceased woman.
Part of the information disseminated was that nobody should pray for her
repose. According to her son who signed the announcements, she has been resting
in peace. And we are today praying for the repose of all the faithful departed.
Topic: Belief in Purgatory and Praying
for the dead
Just yesterday, we rejoiced with the whole Church for our
brothers and sisters who are already enjoying the beatific vision. Today, we
are praying for those who although have left this world and are not damned but are
not found as perfect as we are called to be, cf. Matt 5:48. They are neither in heaven nor in the hell. This belief
in the purification after death better known as purgatory however is one of the
areas many non-Catholics criticise so much. As a result of these, despite the
fact that the word PURGATORY is not found
in the bible, this homily among other things aims at showing that there is
nothing unscriptural about PURGATORY
and praying for the dead.
According to the Catechism of the
Catholic Church (CCC), those we commemorate today are “all who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly
purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo
purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of
heaven” (CCC 1030). The Church
formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of
Florence and Trent based on the scripture, cf. CCC 1031. It “is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead”
(CCC 1032).
Often during funerals, we normally
say or hear that the person is either already in heaven or in hell. But in the
gospel we read the very words of Jesus: “… how hard it is to enter the kingdom
of God!” (Mk 10:24; cf. Mk 10:23; Lk
18:24). Again, nothing is hidden before God, cf. Ps 69:5; 139:1-17, Jer 33:3.
And remember, our target is to be as perfect as God Himself, cf. Matt 5:48. Hence Saint Peter aptly
admonished us thus: “… strive to be found by him [God] at peace, without spot
or blemish” (2Pt 3:14).
Although we are called to be perfect as God but sometimes some
of us claim to be more perfect than God Himself. However, what we know about
life in this world and the testimony of the Holy Scripture prove such claims
otherwise. The Book of Ecclesiastes
states that “Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without
ever sinning” (Eccl 7:20). In the
same vein, the First Letter of St John reads: “If we say we have not sinned, we
make him [God] a liar, and his word is not in us” (1Jn 1:10). And through the prophet Jeremiah, God said that he will
punish those who deny the fact that they are sinners, cf. Jer 2:35. As if in confirmation, Job asked: “how can a man be just
before God?” (Job 9:2). These and
many more point to the fact that no matter how holy a man is he or she is still
full of at least imperfections. And according to the scriptures, God will “reward every man according to his works” (Matt
16:27, cf. Rom 2:6, 1Cor 3:8, Prov 24:12; 2Tim 4:14; 2Chr 6:23; Jer 32:19; Ezek
18:30; 24:14; 33:20). The reward will not be based on hearsay. We read from
the Prophet Jeremiah: “I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give
to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings” (Jer 17:10). Only God knows the hearts
of all men, cf. 1Kg 8:39.
To the scribe who answered well Jesus
said: "You are not far from the
kingdom of God." (Mk 12:34).
That he is not far surely does not mean that he was already in the kingdom of
God. For some people, every person who is found wanting in any way will surely
go to Hell. But God said that every person who wrongs is to be punished
according to his offence, Deut 25:2.
However, our God is not only just
but also merciful: “The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his
doings” (Ps 145:17). The Psalmist
also wrote: “… and steadfast love
belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work” (Ps 62:12).
Despite the fact that every sin is
evil before God yet sins are of different categories. The First Letter of St
John reads: “If any one sees his brother committing
what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those
whose sin is not mortal” (1Jn 5:16).
But supposing one dies in the state of sin that is not mortal, which way –
heaven or hell? Again, in the gospel Jesus said:
That slave who knew what his master
wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a
severe beating. But the one who did not
know and did what deserve a beating will receive a light beating” (Lk 12:47-48).
And again, should such a servant die with an offence that
deserves ‘a light beating’ where will it take place – heaven or hell? Both the
offences that require light beating and those Saint John asks us to pray for
lead people to the state we call purgatory. Hence, we are today praying for
them as Saint John asks us to.
It is important to note also that
in as much as the Church teaches in line with the scriptures the forgiveness of
sins, (cf. Jn 20:23), we should “…
understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of
communion with God, and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the
privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand
every sin, even venial sins, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures,
which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called
Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal
punishment” of sin” (CCC 1472) or
the light beating. To better understand this, one who hits another’s car for
instance is liable not just for the repair but also for the inconveniences
caused. That one’s sins have been forgiven does not mean that he will not
repair what he or she damaged through sin. Hence CCC says: “The forgiveness of
sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal
punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains” (1473). Those who were not able to be
purified here on earth of the temporal punishment due to their sins do so in
Purgatory. This should not be seen as a punishment but as an expression of
God’s love for us sinners. It is to make our souls ready for his kingdom, cf. Prov 20:30. This is what we commemorate
today. It is left for us either to pray for the dead or do not pray just like
the man who did not pray for his deceased mother and also banned others from
doing so. The road to eternal life is
longer and harder than what many think it to be and as a result, there will
be surprises on the last day.
Finally, praying for the dead is
an explicit belief in purgatory. That place the souls of the deceased are while
prayers are offered for them is what is called the purgatory. Catholics believe
in purgatory partly because of some of the reasons already given above and
again purgatory is part of the teaching the apostles handed over by word of
mouth. And these are as binding as what are contained in the bible, cf. 2Thess 2:15; 2Cor 10:10-11.
Bible Reading: 2Macc 12:32-45; Lk 12:41-48; 1Cor 3:14-15.
Prayer: How often do you pray for the dead?
Let
us pray: Eternal rest grant to them O Lord, and let your perpetual light
shine upon them. May they rest in peace – Amen.
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this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
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