CELERY
The Catholic holy day of All Saints’ Day falls on November 1, followed by All Souls’ Day on November 2. Aside from being a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, I read that it is a Festival in the Lutheran Churches and a Principal Feast of the Anglican Communion.
2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:1
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
As a child, I memorized and recited at Mass The Apostle’s Creed, which included “I believe in the Catholic Church, the communion of saints…” and during the feast of the saints, it was my family’s practice to visit our dead relatives at the cemetery. That was the only connection I could remember between my memorized prayer and our November 1st tradition.
Today as we suffer the tragedies wrought by the pandemic around the world, changing our lives dramatically through the loss of what “used to be” but most especially the loss of loved ones, I have begun to appreciate the meaning and value of The Apostle’s Creed.
Those who have gone before us may no longer be physically present, but the souls and spirits remain with us, just as God, the Blessed Mother, and all the angels and saints do. I refer to those believers who are with God in heaven and not those scattered in different realms based on their beliefs.
One of the talks of Dan Schutte’s virtual retreat I attended last month was entitled, Companions on the Journey. He said we are not alone in our spiritual journey but are together in love and surrounded by our family, friends, and believers all over the world and those in heaven. Schutte’s talk consoled me because there have been periods in the past when I felt alone in my sadness and disappointments. (Listen to his music below.)
One heartening and poignant consolation has come from my youngest brother, Joey, who died many years ago at age 57. Years before his death, he called to assure me that my daughter, Amanda, who was very sick then, was going to get well, and he was going to pray for her. Most recently, I had a vivid dream of him sitting between Amanda and me. We were connected to his side by a lightly visible chain reminding me that we still have this bond with him and that Amanda had gotten well because he was undoubtedly one who interceded for her from heaven.
The often-used word “link” in communications and technology immediately came to mind. Joey’s death did not separate us. We are linked to each other forever, in life and death, on earth and in heaven.
Hebrews 12: 1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us* and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
What a beautiful lasting memory of a brother’s genuine love!
Empathizing with you and your family as one who has buried four Brothers, both parents and a 10-month old grandson.
Now when I hear of friends losing their loved ones, I pray that in their grief they may find Our Blessed Mother who Not only endured the death of her only Child But his scourging and crucifixion.
No other suffering and loss can compare or equal this.
What a CONSOLATION this article brings us Celia, as we all are at a loss comforting those in our midst who grieve!
We are often silenced by the profoundness of the moment…. respectful, mindful of the heavy heart, accepting that no words measure comfortably!
With this realization of the Communion of Saints, we can stand CONFIDENT, FIRM and BELIEVING!
Thank you Tita Celia for sharing this profound insight on the Creed even in the midst of your grief. I thank God for the assurances of love given to you through the memory of Tito Joey. It is in these moments especially that we must BELIEVE in what we have been promised by our faith.
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