Sunday Homily 10-30-11, 31st Ordinary Time & All Saints
Readings: Malachi 1, 14-2, 8-10, Why do we break faith with each other?; Psalm 131, In you, Lord, I have found my Peace; 1 Thessalonians 2, 7-13, We were gentle among you; Matthew 23, 1-12, Whoever exalts himself will be humbled.
Observations on Malachi:
Interesting notes, a review:
1. This is the last book of the Old Testament.
2. A little book, only 4 chapters.
3. Last of the 12 minor prophets ( minor because of their small content )
Author: Malachi means “my messenger.” The writer’s real name is unknown.
Date: 400-500 years before Christ. This is deduced from the emphasis on the temple and the priesthood, and the word “governor” used one time. Governors ruled after the Babylonian Exile, ca. 590-550, kings before.
The temple was rebuilt ca. 520 after the Israelites came back ca. 550 from the Babylonian Exile. The Persian ruler Cyrus let them return & rebuild the old walls & temple.
Message: Beware, you priests and people, because you are lax, corrupt, and cheating god of his rightful offerings.
Today’s Message:
1. Yahweh is speaking, actually to the priests, though in the official reading this reference is edited out. I printed off the more complete reading.
2. You priests, I will curse you if you do not honor my name.
3. I have made you contemptable because you don't follow my ways. Again, note the Prophet's message: 1. condemn behavior, 2. promise punishment, 3. consolation after the conversion.
Sources: Good News Bible; New Interpreter’s Study Bible; The Minor Prophets by Al Maxey (on line); & Wikipedia
All Souls Day
Let me give you bit of history and the thinking behind this All Souls' Day. Five observations: the theology, purgatory-limbo, a legend, pre-Christian practices, and today.
1. The Theology. All Souls' Day is part of a package with All Saints. The idea is: on All Saints' Day we honor all those who are enjoying the beatific vision, that is, heaven, the saints. On All Souls' Day we honor those who have died but have not reached heaven because they had penance to do.
What if we think they are all already in heaven? Then we could pray to them rather than for them.
The old theology is talking mortal & venial sin here. If the person died with mortal sin, they are you know where. Those with venial sins have to go through purification and purging, which brings us to All Souls' Day and purgatory.
2. Purgatory & limbo. People ended up in purgatory to purify themselves with suffering, before being allowed into heaven. Limbo was for whom? It was for people, especially children who died without being baptized. They remained there how long? Forever. Can you imagine a baby there or even in the old purgatory?
At least the Catholic Church this year or last acknowledged that the limbo idea was bogus. The pope said it does not exist and never did. Though many consider purgatory to be in the same class, it still exists. Want to know how we know? The pope is offering indulgences. The indulgence is for the soul in purgatory. It speeds up the process. There are partial & total indulgences. We can win them for these souls and get them out or we can win them for ourselves.
For instance, on the last feast of Peter & Paul, Rome offered an indulgence if you visited a church named after one or both of these two, and you recited a prescribed menu of prayers.
3. The legend. It happened around 1000 A.D. that a monk, St. Idolo, from the French monastery of Cluny was shipwrecked on a desolate island as he returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, i.e., Israel. On the island he met a poor hermit. The hermit told him that among the rocks was a crevice from which came the anguished voices of the many suffering in purgatory. Likewise, listening carefully you could hear the devils cursing that living people were speeding up the sufferings of these souls by praying and doing penance for them.
Some time after this, i.e., 1000 A.D., the Cluny Monastery established an All Souls' Day. Ca. 1300 Rome followed suit.
4. Pre-Christian times. There is evidence that at least in Mexico numerous tribes had a day or period when the departed ancestors were honored. The purpose was to honor them, remember their example, and to communicate with them. Today in Mexico & in Hispanic families the Day of the Dead is still celebrated. This custom has been celebrated for 3,000 years.
5. Today. Limbo has been discarded by Rome and many scholars consider purgatory a dinosaur idea from antiquity. Consequently, All Souls' Day celebrates Samantha, my mom & dad, Rosemary's mom & dad, and all our loved ones pictured on the stage. All Saints' Day handles the canonized and, I would suggest, these people, too.
What special blessing did you receive from one of these people pictured or whom you remember in your heart?
Picture 1: Special altar & special display for All Saints & All Souls
Picture 2: Mass Begins
Picture 3: Sienna with Rosemary & Brian & Payton
Picture 4: Leo & mom, Shonda
Picture 5: Shonda, Bethany, Ray, & Jon
Picture 6: Some of the Ekes, Marlene, Mabel, Cindy, Zaeli, & Bill