Visitation of Our Lady

Last week we talked about All Saints’ Day. In particular, what happens after we die, that we do not become angels, but remain human. This weekend we are talking about All Souls’ Day. On All Souls’ Day we remember all the dead, both our loved ones who have passed, and every other human being who has died. The day before we remember those in Heaven. On this day, we are specifically praying for those in Purgatory. We don’t pray for those in Heaven, since they are enjoying their eternal reward. We pray and ask for their help. Also, those in hell cannot be helped anymore. So by this logic we know that our prayers on All Souls’ Day are for those in Purgatory, who are those souls who have died, but can still be helped by their prayers.

We are getting closer to two special days in the Liturgical Calendar. I am referring to All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. These two days complement each in the mysteries that they teach us. In fact, the fullness of the Church is seen during these two days. On All Saints’ Day we are thankful for the Church Triumphant, and on All Souls’ Day we pray for the Church Suffering. We, the Church Militant here on earth, are specifically focusing on the other two parts of the Church, as the Church Militant, Church Suffering, and Church Triumphant make up the reality of the Church, as the Church is more than just what we see here on earth. Over the next two weeks we will go into these two celebrations. We’ll take All Saints’ Day first since that is celebrated first.

Faith is the ability to believe in what another person tells you even when you are not sure. To use the Language of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is the total submission of one's will and intellect to God. It is a supernatural virtue given to those who obey i.e., those who listen and hear the voice of God. It is the ability to trust God even in those moments when we think things are impossible. It allows one to accept both good and difficult circumstances in life knowing that all will be well. Seeing the dark moments of life with the hope that it will be okay even when you do not see the way through.

Justice as New Evangelization The mission of the Church is to bring all people into a relationship with God and also to transform and sanctify the society in which we live with all its realities and challenges. Justice is one of the virtues that will help us to transform the world. Justice is a term that has been used to portray a number of ideas, including fairness, quality, and lawfulness. Distributive Justice is concerned with the distribution of money or honor or other resources that are divided among all who have a share in some public organization. In cases of distributive justice, things must be determined carefully.

In the Second Reading St. Paul encourages us to “compete well for the faith.” We might be surprised that he compares the spiritual life to sports and athletics. In fact, St. Paul uses athletics in multiple places. What does it take to be an athlete? What does it look like? I think it can be boiled down to 3 points: 1) sacrifice, 2) opposition, and 3) end goal. To be an athlete takes sacrifice. We have to sacrifice our time to get good, sacrifice relationships, and sacrifice our own wants and desires. How did Tiger Woods get to be the greatest golfer in his prime? How did Michael Phelps become a human fish and the greatest swimmer in Olympic history? How is Drew Brees a top 5 quarterback all-time statistically? These and other athletes become the best by putting in the time it takes, and this means sacrifice. Sacrificing their bodies as well is necessary. Every athlete encounters soreness and pain along the way.