November 2, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view 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. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.
In over 90% of funeral Mases that I’ve celebrated, this reading is chosen from the Old Testament’s Book of Wisdom. It’s a statement of great consolation to those who have lost a loved one that this person is at rest and in peace with God.
The testimonies of the New Testament through the salvation of Jesus Christ, the Epistles and the Gospels, remind us that what we experience in this world as destruction and the end of existence, is conquered through our faith in Jesus Christ. In the wonderful statement of St. Paul in his letter to the Romans, we are reminded: “If God is for us, who can be against us? What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.”
We always look to the one who speaks to us. Words can be empty. They can be spoken to give false hope. They can present meaningless sentiments. But when the words are spoken by someone who loves you, then there is a person standing behind the truth of what is spoken. They are at one with you in joy and in sorrow. They share your life.
When we examine the words of Jesus in the Gospel of St. John, Jesus’ words to Martha are words spoken directly to us, especially at the time of our loss. “Jesus told her, I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Well, do you?
Martha offers her testimony of faith, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”
Today is All Souls Day, a time when our attention is turned to those loved ones who have died. As Christians, we believe that we can pray for deceased relatives and friends. Many of whom are in the process of purgation (purgatory). I have often stated after listening to funeral eulogies that many appear to be canonizations. As good as a person may have been in this life, they still must stand before God’s judgement, and in my estimation, that demands the support in prayer by those who loved them.
We have the ability to pray for our deceased loved ones. All Souls Day reminds us of that responsibility. In grammar school, the sisters, my teachers, also reminded us to pray for the most neglected soul in purgatory. The person who may not have the loved ones who might remember them in prayer. I do well at times to remember that neglected soul in my personal prayer offering. I am confident that in God’s mercy, we will be together with family and friends before God, basking in His love. I hope that I will be able to meet those who benefitted from my prayers. Hoping that they in turn have prayed before God for me.
So, especially today for our departed souls, I say:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls, and all the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
