Bible
Study: Isaiah 25, 6 to 9. Romans 5, 17 to 21 and Luke
7, 11 to 17.
Today, the Church remembers all who once lived but are now dead. As we
celebrated all the Saints yesterday, we now celebrate all the dead today
bearing in mind that not all those who died are saints. Whenever we pray for
the dead, we are reminding ourselves of the fact that one day, we too shall die
and we would be at the mercy of others to pray for us as well.
We pray for the dead because we know that the physical decay of the
human body is not the end of life. Death may prevent a person from breathing
but death is not the end. The prophet Isaiah speaks of a day when we shall be
gathered before God not in physical bodies as we have now but as imperishable souls.
On that day, God shall prepare a banquet, a feast of fat things, he shall
destroy the veil separating nations, take away tears and reproach from us.
Death is inevitable. Since it must happen, we should not fear it so
much. What we should fear is losing out of this heavenly banquet that God is
preparing for us on the mountain. Since nothing unclean can enter heaven
(Revelations 21: 27), even after death our souls stand in need of further purification
in other to enter heaven. And we get this purification through the prayers
others will say for us. This is why we pray for the dead
The dead cannot pray for themselves. In today’s Gospel passage, a young
man was being taken out for burial as Jesus was entering the city. It needed the
prayer and power of Jesus to bring him back to life. When we pray for the dead,
we are doing for them what Jesus did for this young man. We are helping to give
life to their souls that may be strong enough to enter heaven.
Again by praying for the dead, we are indirectly praying for ourselves. The
good we do for others who are completely helpless will surely be done for us
when we too die. It is even a well-known fact that many persons have seen their
dead relatives or even close friends in dreams begging them to pray for their soul.
Just like the rich man who begged Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip
of his finger and give him a drop of water, the dead are constantly begging for
the water of our prayers. Please don’t let this pass without attending mass or
even saying the rosary just for the soul of at least one person you know. By so
doing, you are saving a soul!
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, grant repose to our faithful departed. Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu
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