As the church prepares to celebrate the current liturgical commemoration of Hallowtide, we are reminded of our own eschatological end goal. Those saintly men and women that have gone before us are “witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom” according to the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church 2683 and Hebrews 12:1. As St. Paul reminds us in his epistle to the Hebrews, “let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.”
Let us be cognizant of what these three days symbolize for us in the Christian tradition:
- the Church Militant on earth warring against the powers of hell (All Hallows’ Eve)
- The Church Triumphant sharing in the glory of Christ in heaven (All Saints)
- the Church Suffering in purgatory being purified from the effects of sin (All Souls)
As the great musical artist Lois Armstrong reminds us of with his jazz rendition of When The Saints Go Marching In, we too should strive for the eternal phrase on our lips of “Oh Lord, I want to be in that number.”
As the apparition of Mary, mother of God reminds us of with the Fatima revelation and popular prayer after the rosary decade, let us too boldly proclaim; “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who are most in need of your mercy.”
For us church militant awaiting the liturgical commemoration of All Saints Day, it may be good practice to fast or offer penance for our own transgressions this day despite the temptation to partake of candy and other sweet treats. At least for part of the day such an occasion should be remembered with a sense of preparation as done with Advent & Lent for our goal as Christians is to strive for sainthood in which all of us should want to be counted within the elect members partaking of the beatific vision.
All Souls Day should be recalled with a visit to a cemetery, columbarium or a homemade Dia de los muertos altar where we recall those that have gone before us that they may sit before the throne of God with all those saintly figures.
How will you recall this Hallowtide? Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori (Time Flies, Remember Death).
May all the saints and holy men & women of God be united with us during our earthly pilgrimage this day. Amen
StreetEvangelist 