31st Sunday Ordinary Time (A) 5 November 2023 Sermon

31st Sunday Ordinary time (A) 5 November 2023 Holy Souls

The mercy of God is infinite and inexhaustible and always there for us to call upon. No matter how many sins or wrong turnings it can all be restarted.

In the physical realm we can have repairs but generally there is a diminishing over time.

In the spiritual realm we can not only repair what was wrong but improve on any previous state.

Replenished, refreshed, improved, we can get better at all the things we do, have a better understanding of God, greater love for Him, sensitivity for His will, increased obedience.

Even great sinners can be retrieved and restored, provided there is sufficient repentance.

We rely heavily on God's mercy. At this time of year we focus on Purgatory, a place where souls are healed and polished, made ready for Heaven.

While we think about the faithful departed we apply the appropriate lessons to ourselves, as we constantly call on God's mercy to set us on a straighter path.

The souls in Purgatory cannot advance their own salvation through sacraments and good works. They rely on the living to pray and make sacrifices for them.

The souls in Purgatory will come to feel a deep contrition for their sins, and in doing that they see things in a new light and so can be ready for Heaven.

I came that they may have life and have it to the full (Jn 10,10).  Our Lord did not mean an increase in life expectancy, but in the moral or spiritual dimension of life. He came so that people could live better lives in union with God's will.

He sets people free from false attachments, and as they do that they become more alive.

This can be our prayer to Him on our own account - that we be willing to take whatever He wants to give us.

Many do not give much thought to God or related matters, such as death and judgment. These matters never become any less important, it is just that they can be put on hold, and never clearly faced. Much prayer is needed around this matter too.

We pray for the living as well as the dead.

God likes to see us taking charitable concern. As in a physical rescue, we would pull people out of whatever difficulty they are in; so spiritually we can help those who need prayer, but cannot do it on their own.

Many people die suddenly, without the benefit of time to reflect on their lives and come to a serious assessment of where they stand.

They will need prayer to help them readjust.

Charity is the quality that makes things happen in the spiritual world. If we have genuine charity for the dead it will help them come to the necessary state for progress to higher levels.

And we benefit, as it is always good for us spiritually when we help someone else in need, living or dead.

Death may be a depressing topic, but we see there is a lot of good in the subject too, when we see the spiritual and eternal aspects of it all.

Many try to exclude the spiritual but that is exactly where the strongest comfort is found.

Each person must reach the point of voluntary surrender, being aware of their true status before God, and the right options they face.

We seek the best outcome for every person. The Good Shepherd searches the whole earth for any sheep needing rescue (Lk 15,4-7). There are a great many of these sheep, on earth and in purgatory. Our prayers and sacrifices will make up some part of what needs to happen. Let us keep to the task.