Strictly speaking, there is no alternative: holiness or nothing else! Yesterday’s solemnity reminded us of the powerful intercession of those who have chosen holiness in the footsteps of Christ. Today, we are made aware of the three different states of the members of the Church: the Church militant, the Church suffering, and the Church triumphant.
The Church on earth is militant because it is in the very heart of the battle of faith. It includes all the faithful who wish to triumph against sin through the practice of charity. This goes well beyond the visible limits of the institution as such and includes all men and women of good will.
The Church in heaven is triumphant because the elect have overcome the great trial and have washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb.
Finally, the Church in Purgatory is suffering because it comprises those who have completed their earthly existence and still need to purify their garments before experiencing the face-to-face encounter with the Lord.
All three states are united in what the prayer over the offerings calls “the great mystery of love in Christ”. Charity in the Holy Spirit is the bond of unity of the Church.
Today, in commemorating the faithful departed, the Church expresses the communion that unites us not only with the saints in heaven, but also with those who are undergoing purification. They are in a transitory state. On the one hand, they are encouraged by the elect who let them know how impatient they are to welcome them. As for us, on the other hand, we are invited to participate in their purification by supporting them with our charity.
This expresses itself in prayer. What is meant, though, is not a prayer limited to the repetition of a few pious formulas. It is a prayer made powerful by a particular quality of love which is gained by patiently enduring the trials we encounter here below. Each time our sensibility or our self-esteem is wounded, instead of taking offense like a child deprived of its toy, we can offer it up to God out of a desire to help them. It is not a matter of self-flagellation to save souls. Rather, we try to take advantage of every opportunity which calls upon our charity to extend it for their benefit.
Let us remember that the Church is a great body that unites all its members and that it cannot bear to be deprived of any single one of them. We know how, in his concern for all the churches, the Apostle Paul declared: ‘Who is weak that I am not weak? Who is led into sin that I do not burn with indignation?’ The same communion exists among all states of the Church. It comes from the power of God’s grace which strengthens our faith here on earth, fills the angels and the blessed in heaven with joy, and powerfully acts among those who are being purified.
It is our privilege here below to work for the good of those who can no longer grow in charity. We can progress in fervour of charity. Thus, we stimulate the impulse of life that circulates among the members of the Church. This, ultimately, has its source in the mystery of the Eucharist. The Mass is the memorial of the greatest act of charity ever, the one Jesus accomplished when He offered His life as a sacrifice for us all. We offer Holy Masses for the souls of the faithful departed in order that they may benefit from Christ’s infinite charity. Also, it is a way for us to unite our own acts of charity with His love and so come efficaciously to the aid of our brothers and sisters who are in a state of purification.
There is a certain sadness to this day when we think of those who have left us. But mainly there is great beauty for, by God’s mercy, we can feel the charity which unites the whole Church and hope for the full salvation of all the sons and daughters whom the Father makes one in the love of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.