Homily for All Souls Day: November 2, 2008

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

On this All Souls Day, the Church remembers and prays for all those who have gone before us in death. Many of us think about our parents. We remember family members, friends, people we have worked with, people we have known over the years. I think of my mother and father, my nephew who died of leukemia at the age of seven, my niece who was killed by a drunk driver when she was a senior in high school, my first pastor who had a tremendous influence on me as a newly ordained priest. We all remember those who were near and dear to us. And we should not forget those who were not so near and dear.

Our faith consoles us and strengthens us because we believe in eternal life. Jesus died on the cross for our salvation. He has been raised up in glory. He is the first fruits of the glory which awaits all of us.

Reflecting on death and eternal life gives meaning and purpose to this life on earth. From all eternity God has destined us to be here in this world at this particular moment in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Each of us has a place in this world and a purpose to fulfill. It has nothing to do with success or fame or reputation but is a matter of embracing the will of God in our circumstances, within our families, with the people with whom we interact. Somehow or other we become the people we are meant to be , not by focusing our attention on ourselves but rather by going out of ourselves in love to others. It is Jesus who said that by losing our lives we find our lives. Selfishness, self centeredness, egotistical preoccupation stunts our growth as human beings. The way of love expands our humanity: the love of God and the love of one another.

Being honest we know that we are imperfect human beings that often we sin and need to end each day asking God pardon for our imperfections and sins. After a good night’s rest we begin again the next day. Each day is a new day in the Lord. But we are human beings and when we come to the end of our lives on earth we die in a state of imperfection. As we enter into eternity we need to be purified. And here is a good way, I think, to understand purgatory. It is an act of God’s love completing our salvation, purifying us for glory. It is a purification, not a punishment. It is an act of God’s saving love, preparing us for participation in the glory of God, or as we say, to enter into heaven.

Our journey through life in this world is the prelude to what life will be after death. St. Paul reminds us that Christ lives in us now at this very moment. As we sit here we are being loved by God and filled with His presence. At the same time we live in Christ, in union with Him in the Church and in union with one another. Pope Benedict calls this a mystical compenetration: Christ within us and we in Christ. In a way then this life is not much different from the life that is to be after death.

The words of Jesus from the Gospel of John enter into the depths of our minds and hearts on this All Souls day: I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME, EVEN IF HE DIES, WILL LIVE.

Last Update November 2, 2008