Rafael de Mosteyrín, priest and chaplain of the CDP Torrealba, offers this article, dedicated to the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, celebrated today, November 2, inviting us to reflect on our lives and to practice the custom of going to pray at the cemetery.
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Although it is normal for us all to want to live as long as possible, we are mortal.
For Christians this is not a problem, but a change of life, to a life forever. We believe this because we trust in the Lord, who has told us that he has the power to resurrect us. That is why we should not be afraid of death. Most people die when they are older, but this is not always the case. It is good to always be prepared for our own death. The best way to prepare to go to Heaven is to be in God’s grace. And for this it is convenient to confess, frequently, which is the way to be at peace with God.
From time to time, especially on a day like today, it is good to think about how our life is going, how much we love God, and if we want to be saints. In this way we prepare ourselves to receive death, where God wants, as God wants and when God wants. God is a good Father, and that is why we trust that he will come at the most opportune moment. If we have habitually made every effort to follow God, He will receive us, because He is always faithful. A good Christian is always happy, even at the time of death. And he wants those who accompany him to see him smiling as well. It is about changing houses, leaving these things of the earth, to go to God.
In any case, it is logical that everyone, even the most saintly, always wants to live as long as possible. It is about making the most of the time that God wants us to be on earth. It would be more comfortable to wish to die out of laziness, of not doing more works of love for God, and for others. The years do not count for those who love God, who always see themselves as young, because they have the illusion of living better and better, like good children.
On All Souls’ Day it is also a good custom to go to the cemetery to pray. It is a Christian word, which means dormitory. There we can ask God that those who are buried there be purified quickly, and pass from Purgatory to Heaven as soon as possible. Our prayer, especially our request at Holy Mass, helps them a lot.
When Jesus resurrects three people, in his three years of preaching, he shows us that he has power over death. He will do the same with each one of us. Then will come the reward of Heaven, when we are ready, or the definitive separation from God, if we have always rejected him in our life. Jesus, by resurrecting himself, shows us once again that he is not just a man, but God. And he makes us immortal after this short life on earth.
