Cathedral Family,
November marks the last weeks of the Church year as we wind down our 33 weeks of Ordinary Time with Christ the King Sunday near the end of the month---and the new beginning of Advent on November 30th. The whole month of November is traditionally a sober time of reflection---on what we call the Four Last Things---death, judgment, heaven and hell. While the world will tell us to not worry and be happy---put off to another day the painful choices we want to avoid---our Mother, the Church, tells us, “be ready—you know not the day nor the hour when your life will be required of you.” There will come a time when each of us must give an accounting of how we lived our lives—for good or evil. So let us drop our pretenses and get right with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The grace of the whole community is with us as we are called to be ready for the Second Coming. Let’s resolve to spend more time in reflective prayer. Visit a cemetery where loved ones are buried. Pray that no one dies with a spiritually unprovided death. Pray for the dead. It’s a spiritual work of mercy.
This weekend, we celebrate what is commonly known as “All Souls Day.” It is a fixed date on the liturgical calendar meaning that every November 2nd, the whole church prays for “all the souls of the faithful departed.” This year, since it falls on Sunday---it replaces the Mass of Ordinary Time. We will also celebrate at the 5 pm Sunday Mass what is known as a “Mass of Remembrance.” At this special liturgy, we will pray by name for all of the people that we have buried from our Cathedral this past year. A lighted candle will be provided for each of these faithful departed souls. You are welcome to come and pray with us at this mass. We have invited the families and loved ones of these deceased to attend this mass to pray for their beloved dead and to be encouraged in their faith---“life is changed, not ended.” One day, we will see their face in the New Jerusalem!
May I take this opportunity to remind us of some things that we tend to “push off” to another more favorable time; namely, our end of life directions. Do you have a last will and testament that is up to date and accurately defines your preferences? Do you have a medical “living will” which will indicate your wishes surrounding your care should you become incapacitated? Do you have preferences for your funeral mass? Have you had a medical check-up recently? As hard as it might be---we need to ask God for the graces to address these matters of life and death. It becomes a great burden for those left behind if there is not clarity. While it can force us to look at relationships and priorities in a different light---it is also living as faithful disciple of Christ. Our greatest act will be our moment of death. It is at this moment that we will hand ourselves over in love to the God of love who made us for Himself.
For the Christian---we can sing with our beloved patron St. Francis of Assisi—“praise to sister death, she makes my life accountable—and opens the door to eternity with my Beloved.” Let us only fear the death of our soul---through unrepented mortal sin. But you and I were made to live forever with God— that is joyful news!
Blessed Holy Souls Day---may theirsouls, and allsouls of the faithful departed rest in peace! Father Christy