Homily: All Souls Day
All Souls Day (Rm. 6:3-9) “The Why of it All”
We don’t often speak of Baptism and death in the same sentence. When we think of Baptism, we think of something that for most of us happened at the beginning of our life. We were washed clean from sin. Just as importantly we began a new life as part of the family of the church. The ritual gave us direction in life. We would be part of the family of the church. All this theology is solid theology. The wonderful thing about the sacraments is that most of the time there are several major theologies that are in play.
In the Letter to the Romans St. Paul is thinking about a different theological truth. When he spoke there were pictures that formed in people’s minds. The pictures aren’t what we think of. When Paul spoke about baptism his listeners didn’t think of babies being brought to the church in white gowns by their parents. The people he was preaching to didn’t think of water being poured over tiny heads at a baptismal font.
Most people were baptized as adults, so they remembered distinctly when they were baptized. Either they went down to the lake where they waded into the water. Or they went to a pool that had been constructed for the purpose of Baptism. The baptism in Paul’s time was a baptism by immersion. The body of the candidate had to be plunged completely under water.
When that happened, the person that was baptized realized that if they were held under water they would die. But they were pulled out of the watery grave. And they could breathe again. Baptism was a near death experience.
What happens when we have a near death experience? I have felt like I could have died a couple of times. One time I had a very bad case of food poisoning. Another time I was in a bad car accident. The vehicle was totaled but I walked away unscathed. After both those experiences, I felt that I lived for a reason. God had a purpose for me.
What is our purpose after Baptism? The ultimate purpose for our new existence in Christ is resurrection. Our new life with Christ is a life that will never end. At the end of our natural life, we will die like Christ, but since we have been baptized, we will rise again to glory. Resurrection and new life are the reason we live.
As we pray for all the faithful departed today, we realize that they have died with Christ. All of them have been buried, entombed, cremated, but that isn’t the end of the story. One day they will rise again. Everyone will then share the same destiny, eternal life with Jesus. Jesus reigns! Death is defeated!
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I had a near death experience? What happened?
2. Have I known someone who nearly died? How were they changed?
Dear Parishioners,
Have you noticed how funeral practices have changed? Today almost fifty percent of people are cremated. Years ago, this was considered an exotic practice. Many times, ashes are scattered. We must wonder if the person will be forgotten in years to come.
When asked why a person’s ashes are being scattered in their favorite place the answers are all tied to their life in this world. The forest, the lake, the baseball diamond, was their favorite place. Little thought is given to the religious meaning that can be tied up in a funeral liturgy of the church. It is as if life in this world is all that there is. Religious rituals speak of resurrection and new life.
I walked around the cemetery in my hometown on Monday. I visited the graves of many people I have known in my life. It was a trip down memory lane. I saw the headstone of dozens of people who had touched my life. Some of them were classmates. In the end it was very comforting to know that one day I would lie there with them. And on the last day we will all come forth from our graves together and have one grand celebration on that hillside in my hometown.
May Our Lady and all the Saints walk with you today.
Fr. Mark