Wis.3:1-9; Ps.23; Romans 5:5-11; Matthew 5:1-12a
Prophet Isaiah says ‘the Lord of Hosts will destroy Death for ever.’ Jesus is the Lord of Host who destroyed death forever. His death is the death of death. Regardless of this grace, man still experience death. However, while the earthly body may die, the soul does not. After death, the soul faces the reality of judgment, hell or heaven. Today’s first reading makes us to understand that the souls of the righteous are at peace. Their departure is not a disaster but an ‘Easter’. Again, we have those souls that have not arrive at their eternal bliss. Like the psalmist echoes; they are asking “when can I enter and see the face of God?” (PS.42:2).
These souls are the souls of our brothers and sister, parents and friends. They need our prayer to enter heaven. By our prayers, almsgiving and faith such souls can enter into heaven. Masses are celebrated today to quicken this grace.
The Roman Martyrology, reads; “On this day is observed the commemoration of the faithful departed, in which our common and pious Mother the Church, immediately after having endeavored to celebrate by worthy praise all her children who already rejoice in heaven, strives to aid by her powerful intercession with Christ, her Lord and Spouse, all those who still groan in purgatory, so that they may join as soon as possible the inhabitants of the heavenly city.”
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus praised the Father in heaven for revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom to children. Purgatory is a revealed truth about the Kingdom. Many believers out there continue to contend with this revealed truth. Many believers are quick to accept the revelation from their pastors while they disregard the revealed truth that has been given to us by the Lord.
Beloved let us embrace this truth and offer masses and prayers for our departed brethren. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace amen.
LET US PRAY
*Listen kindly to our prayers, O Lord, and, as our faith in your Son, raised from the dead, is deepened, so may our hope of resurrection for your departed servants also find new strength. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.*
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai