Word to the Wise
Monday, November 2, 2020 - Nov. 2 - The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
[Wisdom 3:1-9; Rom 5: 5-11 or 6:3-9; John 6:37-40]"The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the few of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. [Wisdom] "And this is the will of the one who sent me that I should ot lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day." [John]
All Souls Day is about many things and not just about "poor souls in purgatory" (although that is part of the tradition). It is not just about all those who have died. It is also about those who are living and remembering! This is why the official title is the "Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed."
When I was a pastor in San Antonio, the Hispanic culture seemed to me to place greater emphasis on All Souls Day than on All Saints Day. The graveyards would be filled with flowers and people spending the day literally picnic-ing at the graveside of a deceased loved one. A favorite food or beverage might be placed on the grave, or, in the case of a child, a favorite toy. This is all about remembrance and grief, and those things are done by the living! The feast is as much about our needs as it is about the needs we believe the deceased to have, especially when our memories dwell on their vices as well as their virtues!
Our parish here at Texas Tech will celebrate a special "bereavement Mass" for all the parishioners who died in the past year. I will certainly remember my younger brother, John, who died suddenly this past May, but also my parents and older sister and other important persons in my life's history who have died. I take comfort in the words from the Book of Wisdom that the "souls of the just are in the hand of God," But I also take comfort from Jesus' words about not losing anyone whom God has given to him and pray, "Don't lose me!" AMEN