Celebrate faith not fear

All Souls Day is meant to remind us that our Christian Life is a process. The moment we are born we enter into a process of belonging to a state of the Church, a process of purification and holiness.

First, the Church Militant. It is the state of the Church where the living belong. It is called militant because human existence is a continued battle for perfection and holiness. It is where the living combat the prompting of the Devil.

Second, the Church Suffering. It is the state of the Church where the deceased belong. After death, the Christians descend into the realm for purification. It is a state intended to cleanse the souls from their earthly sins. Because “… nothing unclean shall enter [heaven]” (Rev. 21:27). And according to Habakkuk 1:13 says, “You [God]… are of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look on wrong…” God cannot admit a single strain of guilt in the heavenly realm and so there must be a sort of cleansing. Matthew writes: Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (12:32)

Third is the Church triumphant. It is the referring to the ones where the glorified belong. It is the state where the purpose and goal of our earthly existence come to fulfilment which is to behold the face of God forever. They pray for the militant and the suffering Churches.

This idea of the states of the Church gives us a beautiful imagery of our Catholic Church and the coherence of our Catholic Faith.

It reminds us of our role and purpose. The aim of our life is Sainthood by means of Holiness and affiliation to Christ. The goal of all souls day is all saints day; to become saints praising God forever.

It reminds us also of the enormous mercy of God. God gives us chances. First to chance to live our lives, the chance to know him, the chance to pray to him. Second the chance to be cleansed and repent in confession and in purgatory. Third is the chance to be heirs of his Kingdom, the chance to live with him forever.

For me, November 1 and 2 are the celebrations of Catholic Eschatology. 2 meaningful days for us Catholics. The spirits of these days are well enshrined in the articles of faith. “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins and life-everlasting.”

So instead of dressing up nonsense, we dress up for a purpose, we dress up to celebrate a faith not fear.