Pray for All Souls

Have you ever wonder the reason behind All Souls’ Day? It’s a day to remember our loved ones, those who are not among the living. We not only remember them, but pray for them. Among Christians, praying for the dead is almost exclusively Catholic.

Catholics believe that when a person dies, one of three things happens. If that person dies in a state of perfect grace and in full communion with God, they go to heaven. These are Saints, both known (recognized by the Church) and unknown, since Sainthood truly is between the departed and God. The second place the dead go is hell. This is an accepted fact among all Christians. Hell exists and people CHOOSE to go there. God does not send His children to hell. He does everything imaginable to save us from such a terrible fate, including sacrificing Himself on the cross for us. People in hell have chosen to be there. It’s not that they have sinned, we are all sinners. People in hell lack remorse, and are so filled with pride they cannot humbly ask for Christ’s forgiveness. Most are sorry for just one thing, that they are in hell in the first place. For that they are truly sorry. Catholics believe there is a third option.

Purgatory is necessary for souls who have not died in a state of perfect grace. It is an opportunity to obtain the perfect grace necessary to enter heaven. While the idea of Purgatory can be found in Zechariah, Sirach and the Gospel of Matthew, the main source of Catholic belief in both the existence of Purgatory and the need to pray for the dead is found in 2 Maccabees 12:45-46 “But he was considering that those who had died in holiness had great grace stored up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead; that they may be loosed from sins.” Maccabees is one of Old Testament books that was removed from the Bible during Martin Luther’s reform. It simply did not fit with their narrative of faith. Another reason to believe in Purgatory is simple. Christ died for the forgiveness of sin. Before His death, it was impossible for anyone to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What happened to all the good people who died before Jesus? Did they simply rot in the ground? Did they go to hell because there was no forgiveness? Or were they sent someplace else, until their souls could be washed clean? That’s what purgatory does, it washes away those sins that remained at death. Sins that had not yet been forgiven because we had not yet asked for forgiveness. Christ did not die on the cross so that people could say “I accept Jesus as my savior” and suddenly all their sins, past, present and FUTURE are wiped clean. Nope. Forgiveness isn’t automatic. You need to ask for it again and again, because we are not perfect, we sin again and again.

On All Souls’ Day Catholics come together to remember, honor and pray for the departed who are in Purgatory; awaiting the purification necessary before entering the fullness of eternal life with God. We believe that through prayer, sacrifice and acts of charity by the living on the behalf of the dead, it will hasten their journey.

Dear Lord,
On this All Souls Day, we life up all the souls
Who have passed from this world.
We ask for Your mercy and grace upon them.
May they rest in peace until embraced
By Your loving arms in eternal life
Lord, may their spirits find rest in Your presence,
And may You grant comfort to all those who now mourn.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

---

Today also happens to be a beautiful Sunday. What better way is there to spend our Sunday then in prayer followed by a delicious meal as we gather together ’round the table. May the Peace of the Lord be with you.

Lemon Dutch Baby
3 large Eggs
2/3 cup Milk
1 large Lemon
3 tablespoons Butter, divided
2/3 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Almond Extract
Powdered Sugar for dusting
Lemon Curd for serving

Let eggs and milk come to room temperature. Zest the lemon, set aside.

Heat oven to 425-degrees. Place 1 tablespoon butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Set skillet aside until the batter is made. In the microwave melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter, let cool.

In a small bowl; beat eggs, milk. Lemon zest, melted butter and almond extract together with a wish. Add flour, continue to whisk until the batter is smooth.

Place skillet in the oven to heat and for the butter to melt. Carefully pour the batter into the hot skillet.

Bake in the heated oven for 20 minutes or until pancake is puffed up and beautifully browned.

For Serving
Powdered Sugar for dusting
Lemon Curd
Assorted Jams
Optional Fresh Fruit

Remove from oven, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with Lemon Curd, Jams or Fruits as desired.

---

The souls of the just are in the hand of God
and no torment of death will touch them.
Wisdom 3:1