All Souls
Wisdom 3:1-9, Ps. 23, Romans 5:5-11, Luke 7:11-17
Every soul yearns to be with God; thus, the psalmist pondered, “When can I enter and see the face of God?” Through our prayers and faith, the souls of the faithful departed enter heaven—their eternal desire. The Church observes All Souls Day on November 2 to remember all the faithful who have passed away. The doctrine that underlies the celebration holds that those souls who, upon leaving the body, have not sufficiently atoned for previous transgressions are barred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can assist them by praying, giving alms, and most importantly, offering masses.
Why do Catholics pray for the dead? The practice of praying for the dead has its roots primarily in Christian belief in the everlasting life foretold by Jesus Christ. Additionally, it conveys our faith in the communion of saints. The communion of saints continues to include Christians who have passed away.
Is it biblical to pray for the dead? In the second book of the Maccabees, prayers for the dead are first mentioned. The author expresses a sincere hope that God will show mercy to the deceased “on that day” (2 Maccabees 12:39–45). Paul’s prayer for Onesiphorus, who had passed away, in the New Testament similarly echoes this sentiment: “May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day” (2 Timothy 1:18).
More so, in today’s gospel, Jesus raised a widow’s son back to life. The Bible says Jesus “went up and touched the bearer they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk. (Luke 7:14-15). Similarly, he said to Lazarus, “Come forth” (John 11:43). Jesus even went to the grave where Lazarus was buried.
Beloved, if Jesus could pray for the dead and bring them back to life, we too should pray for them. We may not bring them back to earthly life, but they can attain eternal life through our prayers. Again, if Jesus could go to the grave, it means that it is biblical for us to go to the grave of the departed faithful and pray for them.
And to what end? We keep in mind the following as we celebrate: man’s mortality and weakness; preparation for a holy death; the emptiness of life; and the hope of the resurrection.
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. AMEN.
