Homily For The Feast Of The Commemoration Of The Faithful Departed, Year C.

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Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6.

“MAY THEY REST IN PEACE, AMEN!”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide

·       Today, we commemorate the souls of the faithful departed. We recall our brothers and sisters who have walked this earth and have returned to God their maker. It is a beautiful thing to pray for the dead, and it is one of the corporal works of mercy.

·       When we pray for the dead, we remind ourselves that death is a debt which we all must pay when the time comes. That time is known to God alone. Our worry should not be if or when it will come. Our prayer should be that when it comes, we may be ready to meet our maker.

·       Today, as we celebrate the feast of all souls, we turn our focus on the old church doctrine on purgatory, which is a place of purification. Those we pray for today are the souls undergoing purification, that God will have mercy on them and grant them admission into heaven.

·       The doctrine of purgatory stems from the fact that nothing unclean shall behold the face of God, just like the first reading tells us that the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God. So, our brothers and sisters who at the hour of their death were not too pure to be admitted into heaven or too sinful to be cast into hell are kept in this place of purification.

·       Since we do not know for sure the state of anyone at the time of their death, it is safe to pray for all the souls of the faithful departed. If they require prayers, it will help them attract the mercy of God; if not, it will he applied to those who need it.

·       We pray God today to have mercy on these our brothers and sisters, forgive them their sins and admit them into heaven. As we commemorate this day, we are reminded to be pure and to prepare for our own death. So that when that time comes, we will go straight to the Father’s right hand.

·       The book of Wisdom (Wisdom 3:1-9), which is our first reading, makes this vivid that our brothers and sisters gone before us are undergoing testing and purification. Having been disciplined a little while, they will he admitted to the place of light and rest.

·       St. Paul in the second reading (Romans 5:5-11) makes it clear that what is keeping our brothers and sisters in purgatory is the hope of redemption. It might take a while, but it can only get better. The hope that one day they will be admitted into heaven. That hope does not disappoint because God has poured his love into our hearts.

·       The crown of it all is that in the gospel reading (Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6), just died on the cross for the salvation of mankind. That salvation also involved those who are in purgatory. Our faith teaches us that if we die, we shall rise with him. As Jesus rose from the dead after the 3rd day, we hope that our departed brothers and sisters will rise one day into heaven.

·       Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, let your Perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, Amen.

·       Happy All Souls Day!!!

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