We Are Not Better Than Those Who Have Passed

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily on the Commemoration of All Souls

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 

Sunday, November 2, 2019

Today, we remember the souls of all the faithful departed. We remember our dads, moms, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends, and colleagues who have gone before us with faith, hope, and trust in the promise of eternal life. Why do we remember them specially today? We do so because they are part of our lives, are dear to us; and we miss them. But most importantly, our remembrance of them today is rooted in the age-long Catholic ecclesiology and tradition which avers that there are three states of the Church— the Church Militant, the Church Suffering or Penitent, and the Church Triumphant. The Church Militant consists of all Christians on earth— you and I who still struggle against sin, the devil, and darkness of this world. The Church Suffering consists of those Christians currently in Purgatory. The Book of Revelation 21:27 tells us that nothing unclean will enter the city of God— heaven. Therefore, the Church suffering are those Christians who were not totally unblemished at their passing away from this life. They are going through a process of purification. The Church Triumphant are those who have seen and experienced the beatific vision and are in heaven. They have made it, and have taken their seats at the table of the Lamb. 

The solemnity of all the Saints which we celebrated yesterday, and the commemoration of All Souls, which we are celebrating today highlights one important thing— that there is communion and fellowship between the living and the departed. If our loved ones are in the company of the saints in heaven, they pray for us, and we ask for their help and intercession. If they are in purgatory, we pray for them, for their purification, for God’s mercy and for their release. 

But sisters and brothers, I do not want you to celebrate today in fear or in sorrow. I do not want anyone in wonderland wondering if our moms, dads, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends, uncles, etc made it to heaven. Do not let today be a sorrowful day for you. You can relive the times and moments you had with your loved ones. You may even cry if that’s the prevailing emotion. However, do not let this day be a day of sorrow or sadness. I hope you can make a distinction between a momentary show of emotion like crying and being in a state of sadness or sorrow. The reasons why I am urging against sadness or sorrow is traceable to all the readings today. In the first reading taken from the Book of Wisdom, we are told that “the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” In the eye of the foolish, they seemed to be dead, their passing away thought as an affliction, and their departure from this world considered as destruction. But the Book of Wisdom assures us that “they are in peace.” Now, what actually gives us the hope and confidence that our departed relatives are in the hand of God and in peace? The second reading taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (5:5-11) declares that God proves and demonstrates his love for us “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” By the shedding of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled to God, justified, saved, blessed and delivered. So, instead of being fearful or anxious, let us celebrate God’s love and mercy and also boasts of the reconciliation we have received from him through his Son, Jesus. 

Are you still unconvinced? Listen to the best part! In today’s Gospel from John 6:37-40 Jesus says, “Everything, (which means every person) that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the One who sent me.” Although we consider them dead, but our departed relatives did not actually die; they only returned to Jesus and to our Creator. They only changed location. If they believed and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior while on earth, they will find in him a merciful Judge. 

Obviously the death of a beloved one brings some sadness and grief to us, however, we should not be sad for them. Do not think that we are better than those who have passed. Surely we miss them. We wish they are still here with us. Since my mom passed away in 2014, I have never stopped wishing she is still around, that I can still call her on telephone and visit her in Nigeria. But one thing I have never done is to consider myself luckier than her. And you should not consider yourself luckier or better than those who have passed away. Do you know why? Because you and I must plod on this dark, sinful, and hurtful world; but not our departed loved ones. We will endure sickness and pain, abuse and shame, disappointment and hatred, but not for them. We will grow weary and even come close to despair; we will be maligned and dismissed; we will be treated unjustly and arrogantly; our leaders will hurt us and lie to us, but not for them. Therefore,  do not be sad for them. Do not weep for them. We are still poor; they are rich. We are fearful; they are secured. We still suffer; they are healed everlastingly. Our souls are still yearning and longing for God, they are already with God. We still hope and pray; they are already enjoying full friendship with God. We still strive, they are already fulfilled. We aspire for perfection; they are perfect already. We still visit the doctor for medical treatment; they are finally free from all kinds of sickness. While we strive not to lose, they have gained everything.