by Helen Ackermann
In the Catholic Tradition, we celebrate two special days in the liturgical calendar. One of them falls on a Sunday this year, but even if it would not, it would still be what is considered a Holy Day. It is called All Saints Day. It is followed by All Souls Day or the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed.
The Gospel which we hear on November 1st, is a well known one. According to the community of Matthew, Jesus shares the Beatitudes with his disciples. It reveals to them, and to us, the blessings we receive from God even though we may experience pain and suffering. It ends with the words, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” On the following day, All Souls Day, we are reminded to pray for those who have died.
As I thought about these two days, I questioned what I believe about these days. I have come to believe that heaven is a state of being, not somewhere in the clouds. It is a unity with God that I can experience here when I celebrate sacraments. We can experience this unity with God when we love. According to the writings by John, God is love.
As we celebrate All Souls Day, we remember those who have gone before us. In contemplation of these two days, are we all not saints? If Baptism makes us one with Christ, then we are already joined with God through his Son, Jesus Christ. We do not have to earn God’s love but need to believe we are loved by God. All Souls Day reminds us of many who have gone before us and are already united with God. Looking at these two days in this way, I started my own Litany of Saints. As many pray to various Saints for favors, I pray to many who have gone before me knowing that they experience the fullness of God’s love. I call this my own Litany of Saints. I ask them to bring me closer to the fullness of God’s love and mercy.