*V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
November 2 is All Souls' Day, when we offer our prayers for the souls in Purgatory. These are the members of the Church Suffering, those who need to be purified of the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven. They are headed for heaven! They are among the saved! They are ancestors, friends, relatives, and acquaintances. They have a relationship with Jesus and us. We pray for their eventual entrance into heaven.
Why is there a Purgatory? If we love God and we are sorry for our sins, isn't that enough? Well, if I break someone's computer and I apologize, isn't that enough? The answer to both questions is, "No!" I need to make reparation or restitution. Sacramentally, that means penance. Thus when we go to Confession, we are given a penance to help heal the harm we have done to the Church and strengthen ourselves to resist future sin. Confession is good for the soul and for the Church. Purgatory is also good for the soul and the Church!
If we are not ready to see God, we need to be made ready. If we are not purified of the punishment we deserve for our sins while we are on Earth, we need to be purified in Purgatory. However, the Church also offers consolation for those in Purgatory, namely our efforts. We, as members of the Church Militant, those battling against evil, can offer our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings on their behalf. So let us pray for all the souls in Purgatory that they may be united forever with God in heaven.
*https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Candles_placed_at_the_graves_during_the_All_Souls%27_Day_ceremony_of_Homage_and_Remembrance_at_Newark_Cemetery._Picture,_Laurence_Goff_http-www.panoramio.com-photo-113342510_-_panoramio.jpg
No comments:
Post a Comment