Let's Remember Our Dead

 Today is the Feast of All Souls.  We take a moment to remember our dead, to pray for them and to wish them well in the new life.

Why?

Not because we worship our ancestors, though I believe those societies that did were trying their best to understand a fundamental truth:  This life is not all there is...we have more to do, more places to go....we never stop being ourselves just because our earthly life has ended.

No, it's not ancestor worship that drives us.  It is love.  

I miss my family that has gone on before me: my husband and children, cousins and grandparents, aunts and uncles and my mom and dad.  I miss their earthly presence.

But I also love them...love them enough to want their highest good.  The highest good for any of us is to be able to spend eternity with God and so I honor and pray with them, I pray for their eternal souls, and I do it all because I love them.

I accept the Teachings of God Himself and know I may need some time after my body dies to detach more from earthly things.  I have no doubt I will be too attached to dogs and football when I die.  

But I trust in His Mercy and in the mercy of those I will leave behind to pray for me so I can finish my journey at the destination I desire - heaven.  Eternity with Him.  

Today is the day I pray for those who have no friends and family here .... I do that every day but today, in particular, I remember them.  I know what it is like to be alone...and I want them to know they are NOT alone as long as I am here.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and May Perpetual Light shine upon them.

Amen.