Fr Ed Homily 11-01-20

They need your prayers

This time of the Church’s year gives me pause to think of all the many people I’ve known over the course of my life. Particularly those who have died. I had some cousins who died early in their teenage years, one with polio, another a drowning. I remember the funerals for my grandparents. We took family pictures at those funerals. I saw the dichotomy of being sad at their passing and then having to grin for the pictures. I know families are in situations where we do not always get together unless it is a funeral. For even a wedding does not bring everyone together as does a funeral. I have been a priest for twelve years. Nearly every year I have been either the celebrant for a funeral mass or a presided for a funeral service fifty plus times each year. You meet a lot of people by doing this. For each mass or service I have kept a copy of their readings and a copy of their obituary. I think I did this because this is what I remember most about the deceased. I am honored when a family asks that I do this service for their family.

All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day together are like a triduum of sorts. On All Saints Day we celebrate those in heaven, whether canonized by the church or not, we recognize the joy they have being in the presence of God. On All Souls Day we recognize those who are in purgatory, still awaiting entry into heaven. Those in purgatory can no longer pray for themselves. They need us who are on earth to pray for them. So it is right and just that we do and do so often.

The Church has a process in canonizing individuals for sainthood. There must be two credible and authenticated miracles attributable to their intercession. Once you are a saint you no longer need our prayers but no prayer is ever wasted. God uses our prayers to help those most in need.

This made me stop and wonder. Do you have family members that have died but have never offered a prayer for them? Sometimes families tell me they have individuals considered the black sheep of the family. The comment is: “We just don’t talk about them.” Sad is it not. Here is someone in purgatory that truly has no one praying for them. If you do not remember them on earth you probably do not pray for them. Thank God for All Souls Day. For the few people who remember to pray for the poor souls in purgatory who have no one to pray for them. We should, you know, pray for them. Will you take a moment today or tomorrow to say an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be for those you do not know?

May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen