Death leading to new life

     In these early days in November we are reminded of the reality of death.  How we deal with this reality is very much affected by our Faith in Jesus Christ.  For it is he that has conquered sin and death and promised us a new life that is eternal … God's gift to us, the children that he loves.   Here are a few reflections for this month of November dedicated to remembering the dead and celebrating the victory of Christ over death that we share in.

     Last evening we turned our clocks back and placed behind us Daylight Savings Time.  This means that this time of the year has the daylight hours lessening and darkness coming earlier in the evening.  I like the longer days and find this "time change" depressing.  I know that others disagree, but that's me.

     The trees are changing color and beginning to lose their leaves.  In our part of the country, this can provide for truly beautiful vistas.  Our colors this years are not as vibrant as other years have been.  But it is the beginning of the end of fresh growth and beautiful greenery and the harbinger of the death coldness and starkness of winter.  The road that we take in our journey of faith, straight or curvy, allow is to see the beauty of creation in its vibrant growth in Summer, in its colorful transition to dormancy in the Fall, in the bareness and death of Winter, and then the resurgence of new life in Spring.  Nature shows us what God has revealed … that there is a cycle to life, and our relationship with him involves life, suffering and dying, and death that leads to new life.

             

              

      November begins by honoring the saints.  The 1st is the Church's Feast of All Saints … acknowledging the Church victorious with her hero's and heroines who are recognized as holy.  It also reminds us of those who may not be acknowledged but who we know share in that Call to Holiness, and who have been marked with the Sign of Faith in death.  

The day before this great feast - All Hallows Eve - reminds us of all of the souls of the faithful departed, although it has been usurped into becoming a time of fright and darkness.  The days of Casper the friendly ghost and of harmless witches and goblins have given way to the walking dead, to zombie apocalypse, to Annabelle and Chucky, to blood and guts. Halloween is more popular than Christmas or Easter in this messed up world of ours.  Boy, do we have work to do in proclaiming the joy of the gospel.  

And then comes All Souls Day, a day of remembering and praying for those who have gone before us in Faith.  It is a time of acclaiming our trust in God's promise while cherishing the memories that we have of our loved ones.  This afternoon, in a tradition found in many of our parishes, I joined my sister in a Service of Remembrance at Saint Mary Cemetery in Uniontown where Mom and Dad and many of our relatives are buried.  And last Friday I returned to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton church for their Mass of Remembrance honoring those who have died this past year from the parish.  Having served as their pastor for over eight years, these were parishioners and friends whose lives touched mine in many special ways.  May they, and all of the Faithful Departed, Rest In Peace!  This month is a special time of remembering the dead in gratitude and love.  Use it well!