We have wonderful readings today for this special celebration! It is the day that we remember all the faithful departed; the day we remember all who have gone before us "marked with the sign of faith (the cross of Christ)"; the day we remember our own mortality and the fact that in God's great merciful plan and loving providence, we shall one day join them. It is a wonderful day!
A celebration like this – one which hits especially close to home for all of us – each of us – most likely - having known someone who has passed on before us – is an occasion to sharpen our focus on what really matters in life and what doesn't.
Those who are most qualified for a greater depth of eternal happiness are the ones who loved the most – who thought of themselves second – who as much as possible tried to look out for the needs of other people, as many as possible – who treated all others with great dignity and respect - who trusted in God's strength and resources to do these things through them, rather than their own willfulness. These are the wise ones who shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament (as it says in reading I today).
The reading goes on: the ones who lead many to justice – because they took the time to learn about God's justice – and applied it whenever and wherever it was necessary in their life styles and current situations – will be like the stars forever.
It is because of our baptism that we are most eligible and empowered to learn about and do what is truly good, right and just. It simply comes with baptism! It comes with incorporation into Christ Jesus! It comes with being cleansed from the debilitating negative-life-filter which is sin that is forgiven by Baptism (and the Sacrament of Penance after Baptism). It comes with being equipped with real and powerful gifts of the Spirit at Confirmation to live a truly useful life that will merit eternal reward. It comes with this and every Eucharistic celebration which rekindles the fires of God's love in us – purifies our perspectives once again – and sends us on our way to love and serve God in others – refreshed and renewed.
Those will not be rejected by God – at the end of their lives – who chose him – and his will and way – and his truth, and goodness and justice. Those will be accepted by God and raised up on the last day who believed in Jesus and who tried to live a life of discipleship which was meant to make a positive, life-affirming difference in their own lives and the lives of others!
And so today, as we remember our family members and friends (especially those represented by these lit candles) and all the faithful departed, who – being still very much alive by means of their souls are now further along the process of full incorporation into Christ than we are – we pray for the success of their full incorporation – and we ask them to pray for us that we may come to know and do what is right and good and just, in a way that pleases God – so that one day we may join them – and together with them be escorted to our eternal place of blessedness and happiness and reward!
The Lord is our shepherd! And if we let him – he will provide all we need to make it through life's rough way to the shores of the stream of everlasting rest!
May we let him provide what he will, and may we use what he provides– this day – and every day! Perhaps this is what our relatives and friends now gone before us would say to us if they could come back for even a brief moment from where they are. Perhaps they would o so lovingly, gently, yet persuasively encourage us: "Yes! Let him! Let Jesus be your shepherd! He really is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Listen to him! Do what he says!"
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When you go to the polls on Tuesday – first pray – pray for wisdom, and it will be given you; then remember to keep it all in perspective, and know that your vote can be like a "star of justice" that shines in the dark night of these troublesome times!
Remember, too that God is with you in that booth – and to really keep it in perspective: imagine it to be Judgment Day as well as Election Day - and that God is praying for you that you make your voting decisions based on what he has tried to teach you throughout your whole life!
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