Today we remember all our family, friends, and our brothers and sisters in Christ who have died. For many, this is the first day that we have been able to gather together as a community for this remembrance after the COVID pandemic. Many people died during that time – many who were not old nor sick previously. Due to the pandemic, we could not take time to mourn properly as a family or community of faith. In many instances there was no farewell or even the proper burial prayers.
On this feast day we remember the most important point of our faith: Christ is risen, and we are incorporated into his resurrection through our baptism. All our loved ones who shared their faith with us through their lives are now rejoicing in Christ’s presence. All of today’s readings remind us of this. This is not a day of cult to the dead or to death, but rather to life, the faith and life we receive from Christ and we are able to, seeing it in our family and friends.
Our Catholic way is to share all our life – that includes the difficult times and times of mourning. Without the local faith community’s support and encouragement, we get stuck in sorrow and mourning, and we forget who we are. Our common faith and mutual support will help transform this extended time of mourning into the joy of the resurrection.
Let us remember what Jesus proclaims in today’s Gospel:
everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day
As a faith community, it is important to take time right now, today, after several years of pandemic to join hands and support each other in this time of mourning and faith in the resurrection.
Image: “All Souls Day” by Pamela Gallagher https://hail.to/sjr/publication/xXYuLyb/article/KAKb9lE