It’s not uncommon for communities to set apart a day to specifically remember and honor those special to it. We, in the US, celebrate our mothers in May, our fathers in June and our grandparents in early September. We remember our fallen soldiers in May and we’ll honor our veterans in a few weeks. We lift up laborers in September, our bosses and pastors in October and our administrative assistants in April.
On these special days, we honor those who gave us life, provided us with a family name and home, won for us and protected our freedoms and give us guidance and assistance. Of course, giving them “their day” doesn’t mean we don’t value, applaud, celebrate, or think of them the other 364 /365 days of the year.
In the communion of the Church, the same is true. Next week, on November 1, some of the branches of the Christian tree will celebrate the feast of All Saints recalling those persons who shone brightly the light of Christ. We give thanks for their teachings, faithfulness, and witness of life on that day and on every day. They spur us on to share their prize of Glory with and through Christ Jesus.
On November 2, and throughout the month of November, another group special to us is remembered: the faithful departed: the souls who rest in God awaiting the glorious day of their bodily resurrection, reward and reunion. In this remembrance, we also give witness to three of the great truths of the Christian faith.
One. We recall that the bonds God forges in life are eternal bonds. This means we continue to be connected to and concerned for one other. In life, we pray that God wake us and others to faith, that God wake us from our apathy or sinfulness, that God wakes us to a renewed life. In death, we pray that God wakes our deceased to resurrection and the fullness of life and glory. We are always a brother or sister to our brothers and sisters. They depend on us. And we, as well, on their example of faithfulness to the struggle.
Two. In remembering our departed our hopes are strengthened and we are encouraged. Life in this world with its many fears, trials, pains, sorrows, hurts, and disappointments can easily and quickly drain that hope. they can lead to discouragement. For those who have no hope, death is both affliction and utter destruction. Not so for us, who know God’s love for us and for all his people.
Three. In both feasts in the early days of November, we are reminded that our end is not in the ground and not in death. Rather, there is no ending to a life-in-God. We go from living on earth to living face-to-face in the presence of God and his Christ – God’s anointed one. Paraphrasing the words of St. Paul , we have no lasting home here…only temporary residences or “tents” which we pitch for a time here as we make our way to God’s heart. (cf 2 Corinthians 5:1)
So, as fall gives way to winter and as trees shed their leaves in a blaze of glory before slumbering, let’s remember and thank God for all our loved ones who have gone before us – including those whose faith is known to God alone.
May Christ’s great love bring us all closer to himself and make us all His saints.
Joe Lehman is the Pastor at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church located at 2505 Electric Rd (Rte 419. Visit them on the web at: www.oln-parish.org