Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 31 Ordinary time - November 2, 2020 - All Souls

MONDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2020 COMMEMORATION OF ALL SOULS Wisdom 3:1_9 or Isaiah 25:6-9, Romans 5:5-11, Matthew 11:25-30 PRAYING FOR THE DEAD The church of Christ on earth has three arms. We have the triumphant church which comprises of those who struggled like us on earth and were found worthy to be with God in heaven. They are those we celebrated yesterday with the feast of all the saints. We who are on earth, referred to as the pilgrim or militant church ask for their prayers and intercession so that we too may be found worthy to one day like them be with God in heaven. As Christians, we never forget those who have died. They are still part of the church because they are still children of God. When people die, no one can tell the state they are. This is one of the reasons people fear death. For those who live obviously good lives, we know through the process of canonisation of the church that they are in heaven. For so many people, we cannot tell the state they are. On a day like this, the concept of purgatory is very apt. Some people may not be good enough to be with God in heaven because of the state they were when they died; at the same time, they may not be so bad to have been condemned to the fire of hell. They are therefore in a state of purgatory to atone for their sins. These are referred to as the suffering church. We can never tell how purgatory is and how long people stay there, but we know that it is definitely not a pleasant state. We therefore set today aside to pray for all those who have died. In 2 Maccabees 12:45, we see how Judas Maccabeaus called on the people to pray for the soldiers who lost their lives in battle so that their sins may be forgiven and they will be able to be with God. It is a noble thing to pray for the dead. Prayer, penance, Almsgiving, and works of charity offered on behalf of the dead can go a long way to help them behold the beatified vision. Today is a day of prayer. In 1915, Pope Benedict XV allowed Priests to celebrate up to 3 masses on this day, for his own intention, for the souls in purgatory and the intention of the Pope. Let us all make effort to attend mass today, let us flood heaven with our prayers and supplication so that we can empty purgatory. You can also visit the grave of a loved one today and say a prayer for hom or her. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. God help us. Amen. Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP