Pray for those who have passed away

“When we forget, it looks forsaken, but when we remember, we give life,” said Fr Dominic Santhiyagu, the Parish Priest of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (NBVM) during Mass in commemoration of all the faithful departed on November 2.

In his homily, he showed two contrasting images of graveyards — one looking forlorn and spooky while the other teeming with a multitude of colourful flowers, beautiful burning candles and people visiting their loved ones. He said the first image happens when we forget the dead. It is an ambience of hopelessness and abandonment. The second image gives hope in ‘life after death’— resurrection. It is this hope that warms the heart and lifts the spirit of the ones visiting their loved ones who have gone before them, with the hope that one day we will meet again in the heavenly kingdom. This remembrance brings life, hope and meaning, which is why we commemorate All Souls Day.

He encouraged the congregation to pray for their loved ones who have passed on as he does at every Eucharistic celebration for his late parents and brother. He also invited the parishioners to reflect on their own deaths — to take a few minutes to visualise what their own funeral would be like. Finally, he urged all to remember “The Lord is my light and my salvation” Psalm 27:1, reminding them that in Jesus, there is resurrection.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online