All Souls’ Day
Have you ever found yourself imagining standing before Jesus at the gates of heaven, answering His profound question, “What did you do with the life I gave you?” This thought evokes both wonder and deep introspection. Within each of us resides a God-given awareness of eternity—a longing for something beyond the fleeting nature of our earthly existence. This yearning for “something more” fills us with hope that we can discover fulfilment beyond life’s superficialities.
Indeed, God has set eternity in the hearts of every human being. All Souls Day invites us into a sacred space for reflection, remembrance, and hope. As I contemplate my final destination and remember my loved ones who have gone before me, I am reminded that I, along with many who have died in God’s grace, continue on this journey, needing further purification before we can fully bask in His glory. This truth is not a cause for fear; rather, it stands as a testament to God’s boundless mercy—a love that is stronger than death.
Consider this analogy: envision an unborn child, snug in the womb. Suddenly, pressure pushes the child through a narrow passage into a bright, new world—learning to breathe, adjusting to the cool air. What if the child is born prematurely or faces an infection, needing time in an incubator to heal? This imagery beautifully reflects our understanding of Purgatory. It isn’t a punishment; it’s a divine incubator—a necessary process to sever the “umbilical cord” of earthly attachments and cleanse the remnants of sin, preparing souls for the fullness of existence in heaven. Though this purification can be painful, joy arises from the certainty of our heavenly destination.
Am I truly ready for heaven? What earthly attachments hold me back from preparing my heart for more than what this life offers? Can I let go and allow God to take the reins? At a recent retreat, an image of a newborn cradled in the arms of its Father resonated deeply within me. Upon reflection, it felt like an invitation from God to embrace the innocence and dependence of a newborn—to trust wholly in Him, to be lovingly held and cared for. Perhaps cultivating this child-like faith and dependance is the first step in preparing my soul for heaven.
God desires every soul to be free, inviting us to stand before Him in pure love. All Souls Day reminds us of our shared call to holiness. The journey of purification begins here on earth, guiding us closer to eternal joy with God.
As those in purgatory cannot pray for themselves, our prayers, good works, and the holy sacrifice of the Mass offered for them can help make reparation for their sins, opening them to the purifying love of Jesus.
On this day, let us pray for the souls in Purgatory and for our own spiritual growth. May we embrace the mercy that awaits us and encourage one another in our pursuit of holiness. Let us hold close the words of Jesus: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11).
May we remain in His love, supporting one another on our journey towards eternal life, where our joy will be made complete in His presence.