As we progress through this final full month of the liturgical year of the Church, we continue to be mindful of our obligation to pray for those who have gone before us in death. One of the important and distinguishing traits of Catholic faith and practice is our firm conviction of the on-going connection that we have with the dead.

 

In the magnificent prayer often recited in a funeral Mass, we are told, “In Him [Christ] the hope of blessed resurrection has dawned, that those saddened by the certainty of dying might be consoled by the promise of immortality to come. Indeed for your faithful, Lord, life is changed not ended, and, when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, an eternal dwelling is made ready for them in heaven.” (Preface I For the Dead).

 

This Preface summarizes several elements of the divine and eternal reality that is essential for understanding our human existence and, in fact, our very selves. First it speaks of the “promise of immortality to come.” This reminds us to look beyond the earthly reality that surrounds us at all times. God has called every person into existence. In doing so He has blessed us with a gift of life that will not be extinguished. Even in death we live on.

 

The full understanding of eternal life, however, is that it is not an immediate and unconditional promise of happiness. As Christ Himself told us, “the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.” (Jn 5: 28-29).

 

Obviously these words of Jesus serve as both a promise and as a warning. We have work to do now to grow into the worthiness of the gift of eternal life with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The “good deeds” mentioned by Christ begin by love and acceptance of Him and His word, His teaching and His Church. But those good deeds must then move to a life lived in full accordance with the religious and moral teaching of faith that has been entrusted to us.

 

There is also the alternative mentioned by our Lord. That is, the resurrection of condemnation for those who “have done wicked deeds.” This is the very meaning of hell and Jesus thus assures us of its reality.

Our human existence, the trial which each of us is undergoing, is a lifetime of responding to the question implied by the words of Jesus. Which will we choose, a resurrection of life or of condemnation? There are of course major moments of decision. We can choose to commit mortal sin, which separates us from Christ’s love and for which there is urgent need of forgiveness in the sacrament of confession. Or we can avoid sin and so choose for Christ. On a lesser level, our daily struggle against and response to temptations regarding charity, honesty, prayer, care for the poor and incarcerated and other issues all contribute to the context of eternal life.

 

Our Catholic faith also reminds us that this same reality of eternity and the possibility of eternal joy applies to our loved ones. We undervalue God’s plan if we do not build in our faith a continuing connection with those who have already died. In heaven they watch us, pray for us and wait for us to join them.

 

For our part, we do not simply remember them. It is our task and privilege to pray for the dead. For those who have died in the love of Jesus but who still carry the stains and wound of sin, God’s love allows us to assist them by our prayers for their final purification. We carry the hope as well that others will pray for us in our moment of purgation.

 

Life is changed not ended. That means our connection to the dead is not simply in memory, standing before their graves. We need to stress the blessings of a funeral Mass for the dead. And even after it, we continue to pray for them and their joining with all the saints, among whom we hope one day to be numbered as well.