Our modern world has lost sight concerning the importance of the human body. With the rise of cremation we face issues such as a burial never taking place or ashes being spread around certain locations or divided up among family members. Actions such as these are incompatible with our faith.
Some claim that the body is not important for it is only an empty vessel which contained the soul which is now not present. Even with death our faith teaches that the body in important. The body is important for it is a temple of the Holy Spirit and points towards the Resurrection of the body to come. Even with the rise of cremation we should remember that “the Church (prefers) the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased.”
To bury one who has died is one of the corporal works of mercy. This corporal work of mercy also includes offering our prayers for the souls of the faithful departed. Sadly, it seems that not only have we lost sight of the importance of the human body, but also the necessity to pray for them.
We heard this reflected today from 2nd Maccabees which reminded us of this important need. Throughout the month of November we are especially encouraged to go to a Cemetary in order to pray for the souls of the deceased. A visit to a Cemetary reminds us of our own mortality and our need to set our life straight for Christ and reminds us to pray for those in Purgatory.
As we commemorate all the souls of the faithful departed on this All Souls Day may we come to understand and frequent our prayers for them.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen.
