Let us pray today for the souls in purgatory, asking God to gather them to Himself
Reflections on the readings for The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (November 2, 2019): WIS 3:1-9; PS 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; ROM 5:5-11; JN 6:37-40
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today we remember the souls of the Faithful Departed. They are still part of the Church just as we who live on earth and those who are already in God’s presence are members of the Body of Christ.
The sins we commit throughout our lives and the acts of love and mercy we neglect, prevent imperfect souls from being prepared to see the light of God’s face. The souls of these beloved children of God need to be purified. When they are, they will begin their eternal life in heaven. “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise Him on the last day” (John 6:40).
From the earliest days, Christians have honored those members of the Church who have gone before them. The monasteries developed a particular devotion to praying for the dead that they might quickly go home to their Father. And November 2 was chosen as this special feast day starting in the 11th century. We pilgrims on earth are encouraged to pray for our own loved ones who have died as well as all the Faithful Departed. We ask our Lord to look on them with compassion and take them to Himself as soon as possible. We pray for them: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them.”
