Most Sundays after Mass I hear people as they greet the Priest standing just outside the vestibule doors. Good morning, Father. Wonderful service. Good morning, Father, I truly enjoyed your homily.
While I do greet our Priest with the same reverence, when I have a question it seems to take them off guard. Good morning, Father. I was wondering, when we go out to dinner and are served a multi-course meal, is it necessary to bless each course before eating? In case you were wondering the same thing, it’s not necessary to bless the appetizers, salad, soup or dessert courses. Only the main meal needs to be blessed. Now aren’t you glad I thought to ask?
Not long ago I asked Father Jeff (one of several Priests at our parish) if Protestants went to Purgatory, since they don’t believe it exists. On this All Souls Day my Catholic thoughts naturally wander in that direction. Perhaps if Protestants had a complete Old Testament Library, including the books of Maccabee, they would understand the need to pray for the dead. In particular is 2 Maccabee, said to be condensed from a five volume work by Jason of Cyrene written between 124 and 100 BC. The setting is Judea, around 170 BC. It is not a sequel of 1 Maccabees but a parallel account dealing less with historical events and more to do with the passion of martyrdom, providence, and hope in the resurrection of the body.
2 Maccabees 12:43-46
And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection. (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead). It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.
When you get right down to it, Purgatory is a gift, a final saving grace for both the living and the dead. Only those without sin can enter the gates of Heaven. Who among us dies without ANY sin remaining. Yes, Jesus died so that our sins MAY BE forgiven. It’s not an automatic grace. Forgiveness must be asked for. God is there, ready to forgive whatever we ask of Him. First we must ask, and then we must repent, vowing not to sin again. Since none of us is perfect, we will sin again.
When we think of sin, we tend to think big, and when we think big, we tend to believe that we are indeed without sin. I have not committed murder. I have not taken things that do not belong to me. I am faithful to my spouse. I’m a good person. Those are the whisperings of the devil, lulling us all into a false sense of holiness. Sinfulness need not be huge acts. Think about this – have you felt anger toward your fellow drivers who are poking along on the highway? Have you failed to be as generous as you could be with your time, feeling that twinge of selfishness? Have you remained silent in the face of injustice? I know I have. Big sins are obvious to all. It’s the little shortcomings, those tiny moments when we are less Christ-like that are overlooked. If you attend Mass every Sunday, the little things are forgiven. This happens during the Confiteor, as we strike our breast and proclaim “Through my fault. Through my fault. Through my most grievous fault.” It is a confession of everything – “in my words and in my deeds. It what I have done and what I have failed to do.” At that moment all is forgiven. Not just the big sins confessed in the sacrament of reconcilliation, but all those little moments of imperfection.
But then on Monday, all those little human imperfections pop right back up again. It’s in our nature. God knows this. Which is why Purgatory exists. Those souls in Purgatory are facing their sins, all those little moments when we could have been more Christ-like. What they cannot do for themselves is to pray. That is the task assigned to the living. We pray for our departed. It is a mutual exercise in forgiveness. When we pray for them, in a way we are praying for ourselves as well. The Church teaches us that the souls in Purgatory are undergoing purification so that they may enter Heaven. While prayers are always important; the Prayers offered up on All Souls Day lend greater assistance to the souls on their final journey simple because they were designed to do so. Light a candle. Remember all those who have gone before us. It’s the little things that can keep us apart from God. Just as the little things can bring us closer to Him.
Oh, and for the record, anyone can enter Purgatory. Purfication is not reserved for Catholics only. Every soul will be made perfect and clean before entering the fullness of God’s presence. Only those souls who have chosen hell are doomed to damnation. That in itself is reassuring to me.
Heavenly Tomato Infused Angel Hair Pasta
4 Garlic Cloves
1 lb Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, divided
1/4 cup Italian Parsley
2 tablespoons Basil
1/3 cup Olive Oil
12 oz Angel Hair Pasta
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes or to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Peel and mince the garlic. Slice 8 oz of the tomatoes in half, leave the rest whole. Snip the parsley and ribbon the basil. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil and whole tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and start to fall apart, about 10 minutes.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente ( no more than 3 minutes).
Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce. Stir, and cook for about 3-4 minutes, then add the cut tomatoes, cook only until warmed through.
Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and chopped herbs to the tomato sauce. Pull pasta through to coat. For a casual setting, serve straight from the pan.
Delicious served with warm bread and maybe a salad.
The souls of the just are in the hand of God
Wisdom 3:1
