We ... And no torment shall touch them any longer.
 

      How wonderfully comforting that is, my friends, whenever we think of our loved ones who have died after a painful illness!

Today, of course, is the day we remember the souls of all the faithful departed. "Give them eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them forever."
 

      Our first reading today, from the Book of Wisdom, goes on to tell us a little more about what we should be believing about living life on this earth, living life after life on this earth, and passing between the two.
 

      Wisdom says that even though lots of us think that when a person dies, that’s it. There’s no more life in that person.
 

      We feel dreadful about losing that person, as if we are so afflicted ourselves that even our own tomorrows don’t stand a chance.
 

      However, Wisdom says, it’s just the body that dies, and the soul goes into the hand of God where there is peaceful relief, and they are indeed in a better place.
 

      That’s one of the most frequently asked questions we priests get, usually some weeks or months after a person’s natural death:  “Is my loved one in a better place, really?”
 

      This Wisdom reference is one of our most common biblical responses. Wisdom goes on to mention a commonly held belief in Old testament times that suffering was considered to be a form of punishment.
 

      Remember Job and all of his problems? But Job insisted he was innocent of any evil doing, and only bearing what God wanted Him to bear.
 

      So Wisdom calls suffering a chastisement, a work-out, so to speak, after which the sufferers shall be greatly blessed because God has tried them and found them worthy of Himself.
 

      It’s kind of like a coach trying out new team players, and what joy there is among those who get picked to play.
 

      Wisdom uses that striking image of turning up the heat under a pot of gold so that it melts, and all the impurities float to the top and are raked off, leaving a brilliant substance behind.
 

      That’s a good way to spiritualize the trials and tribulations we experience in life.

      That purification process reminds us about our understanding of purgatory. Purgatory is the condition or state for those who have not entirely alienated themselves from God through mortal sin, but who are temporarily or partially overcome with selfish sinfulness and need to have their love for God made perfect by giving satisfaction for their sins.

We have no way of knowing the nature of this purging, nor its duration. So that’s why we pray for our beloved deceased today and have Masses said for them throughout the year.

It’s because after life on this earth we can no longer do the good works that earn graces for us. So we, who are still on this earth in our earthly bodies, we still can do good works, and we make them prayers for those whom we call “The Poor Souls in Purgatory.”
 

      Finally, let us appreciate today’s Gospel promise.
 

      Jesus said to the crowds:  “The will of my Father is that everyone who sees His Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
 

      So, as we pray at the end of the funeral Mass:  “Trusting in God, we have prayed together for our beloved deceased.  There is always sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see him or her again and enjoy his or her love and friendship.  Hence, although we disperse in sorrow, we know that it is the mercy of God that will gather us all together again someday in the joys of His kingdom.  Therefore, as St. Paul urges us, let us console one another in the faith and promises of Jesus Christ.”

      Thank you.