Fr. Bill's Weekly Message
for 11/1/98
Dear Parishioners,
I am looking forward to seeing you at our choir's
concert tonight (11/1). We will be treated to beautiful music including
the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré. Join us!
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All Saints and All Souls day give us a great opportunity
to remember all those who have gone before us in the faith. I, and
many of you, learned about the Church suffering. These were the men and
women who were suffering in purgatory. This suffering is a state of waiting
for one's entry into the fullness of heaven. We cannot say for certain
that there is "fire" in purgatory.
We read in Scripture that Judas Maccabeus took a collection
to be used to offer a sacrifice for those who had died. "For had he not
expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish
to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense
reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout.
Hence, he had this expiatory sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they
might be released from their sin" (2 Mac. 12:43-6).
This is the most direct scriptural reference to purgatory.
Other indications include Mt. 12:32 [sin against the Holy Spirit cannot
be forgiven in this world or the next]; Lk. 12:59 [person won't be freed
until last penny is paid] et al. Danté offers us a marvelous picture
of the afterlife. His vision of purgatory, while not real, is valuable
to teach us that this "place" is not of joy, but of great hope. It is part
of heaven and those who are there will reach the fullness of heaven one
day.
We help them with our prayers and sacrifices.
Please see the bulletin Mass times for the extra Masses on All Souls Day.
Today, of course, we rejoice with all those who have
made it, the Church Triumphant, so to speak. They are those who have
run the race, fought the good fight, and now have won an imperishable crown
(1 Cor. 9:25). They are all the blessed souls in heaven whose lives have
been found worthy. They enjoy the beatific vision. It is here that we will
experience no emptiness, no longing, no disappointment, no desires other
than to love God more and more and more.
Whenever anyone asks us what we want to be, we ought
to say a saint. In the end, nothing else matters. "What profit would
there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what
can one give in exchange for his life?" (Matthew 16:26). We lose heaven,
we lose it all. Let us all desire to be a saint.
God bless,
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