October 29, 2023, 12:00 PM

We will begin November with two special days to remember those who have gone to eternal life: the Saints in Heaven (Church Triumphant) and the Holy Souls in Purgatory (Church Suffering). During our earthly life we are called the Church Militant because we continue to fight the spiritual battle against evil. So, we are members of the Communion of Saints. Before Christ came to earth, the Old Testament spoke of the Saints. For example, Daniel 7:18 tells us, “The Saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever and ever.” The Saints pray for us on earth, and we pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Jesus made possible this Communion of Saints, those in Heaven, those in Purgatory, and those living on earth. The Communion of Saints works in the Body of Christ through the Holy Spirit. We image Christ by praying for others as Jesus does for us. We work with God in His work of the redemption of every human being. How do we do that? We learn lessons in how we are to be co-workers with God whenever we hear a homily at Mass or when we read the works of Church scholars, explaining the Scriptures and their meaning in our daily lives. We help by prayer. We should pray for each other and for the world. While the Scriptures speak often of those in heaven being “asleep,” this “sleep” refers to the physical body, not to the state of the soul. If souls were also “asleep” in death, unable to praise God or to experience His Love, how unjust would that be? Now you know!