This is the late autumn season. It is the time when the trees lose their leaves, the weather gets colder and we begin inching our way toward the dark and dormant time of year.
The change of seasons is a symbol of life. The late autumn season reminds us that our time on this earth is limited. We only have a short time to do the will of God and produce the good fruits of the kingdom. Contemplating our mortality should inspire us to use our time well — listening to the Word of God, putting it into practice, and following the path of love, forgiveness and understanding.
The Mass readings that we will be hearing from now until the end of the liturgical year will focus on the last things. They will speak to us of death, resurrection, the Second Coming of Christ, the final judgement, heaven, hell and life eternal.
On Nov. 1, we will be celebrating All Saints Day, reminding us of the holy people who have gone before us and now help us through their intercession. They inspire us as examples and guides and serve as helpers in our need.
The following day, Nov. 2, is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day), on which we remember in a special way our beloved dead. We believe that the bonds established in life are not broken in death. We are in communion with the living and the dead.
On All Souls Day, we remember those who have preceded us in death, and we are reminded that we can help them with our prayers. We pray that God bring them into the eternal rest of the heavenly kingdom. Our faith teaches us that our relationship with others is not destroyed in death — our communion with them transcends death.
The Book of Wisdom speaks these words of comfort to us who mourn the passing of loved ones: “The souls of the just are in the hand 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.” (Wis 3:1-3)
We usually think of wisdom as knowledge gained through age and experience. But in the Sacred Scriptures it is something much more. It is a gift from God that leads us to holiness through perseverance in suffering and through gratefulness in times of blessing. The author of the book of Wisdom tells us that the truly wise, the truly just, are like gold tested in fire. And the souls of the just are in the hands of a loving God.
This time of year provides us with the opportunity to renew our faith and to contemplate the Lord’s promises to us. Jesus says, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (Jn 6:40) Believing in Christ is more than intellectual assent; it means entering a relationship with him — a relationship based in love. His love never dies.
In his Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul emphasizes that our life on earth is transitory. He compares our body to a tent, which he calls “our earthly dwelling” — a dwelling that is easily knocked down and destroyed. However, he tells us that if it is destroyed, we will have a permanent building, not made by human hands, eternal in heaven. St. Paul is speaking about the resurrection of the body and everlasting life in the presence of God. (2 Cor 5:1) St. Paul writes, “… although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor 4:16)
Remembering the beloved ones who have passed away should motivate us to deepen our love for those who are living. This remembrance should encourage us to be reconciled with members of the family or community with whom we have grievances.
We know that we are on this earth for only a short while, and that every moment is precious. We ask God to help us to use each moment to live holy and righteous lives and to love one another as Christ taught us.
