Today we receive an important reminder of the need to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. This is after all one of the spiritual works of mercy of which we are to carry out. From the Book of Maccabees: "For if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin."
So often we forget this need to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. We have lost sight of Purgatory and thus we forget to assist those who are found here with our prayers and sacrifices. There is no greater gift that we can give to our beloved dead then the gift of our prayers, sacrifices, and above all the Holy Sacrifice of Mass being offered on their behalf.
The Book of Revelation states concerning Heaven that nothing unclean will enter into it. This is precisely why Purgatory is so important. Without Purgatory so many souls would fall short of the rewards of Heaven for they would be stained with sin and thus be found unclean. Thus Purgatory purges away our continued attachment towards venial sin and also purges from us the effects of our forgiven mortal sins which have yet to be atoned for.
Through our prayers and sacrifices we are able to assist these souls towards the splendor of Heaven. It is an incorrect statement concerning Purgatory that it is a second chance or an in between state. Rather all those found in Purgatory are destined towards Heaven. There is no second chance nor are they in some in between state; they are instead destined towards Heaven. Here they are purified as gold which is tested in fire. Thus in time we will come to venerate these very souls on All Saints Day.
May we therefore set Heaven before our face. May we realize that we are each called to enter into it. May we realize that we have been called to love Christ with all of our heart and soul. If we truly love Christ we must begin to practice virtue. We must realize that in time we too will die and thus we will be judged for the way in which we have ordered our life. May we therefore entrust ourself to Christ now by entrusting ourself to the grace and mercy that God constantly pours out upon us.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
