“They Shall Shine” (11/02/2023)

Today is All Soul’s Day, the commemoration of all the faithful departed, a day for remembering with love those loved ones who are no longer with us in this life. Today is a day that plumbs the depth of my faith, that tests the foundation of my hope, that assesses the authenticity of my love. Today, as I hold the memories of my loved ones who have died in my mind and heart and I admit out loud how very much I miss them, I take solace in the assurances of our LORD that they live, even more than that, that they shine, for they are in the LORD’s care, the LORD’s presence.

I must admit that I wish I was doing better in my grief; I do so miss them. I recall my last words with my father who told me, “Love you; be you.” I remember keeping watch with my sister as she finished the race and kept the faith; I remember her telling us all she loved us and then saying, “Gotta go.” I recall the final days with my infant grandson and how his very presence among our family united us and tenderized us all with love, in love. And I will never forget my final moments with my brother who was not responsive until I called him “Bebe Dod,” a childhood nickname; he opened his eyes. He saw me. I saw him.

I believe with every fiber of my being that my loved ones are with the LORD. I believe that they flourish in the light of the LORD and in the communion of saints. I believe that they are living among angels. I believe. That’s the point I keep trying to hold today. And I think of the memorial acclamation from Mass that I love but that we seldom use: We remember how You loved us to your death. And still we celebrate, for You are with us here. And we believe that we will see you when you come into your glory. We remember, we celebrate, we believe. I know it speaks of Christ, but to me it also speaks of our life in Christ, loving through our lives, members of the communion of saints, assured that by that faith in Christ we will have eternal life.

And so, this day, in honor of my loved ones who are no longer here by my side nor a simple phone call away, I promise to hold them in my mind and heart and hope that with the LORD they await our reunion. I promise to live my life fully as a tribute to them and the love and gifts they shared with me. I know that they and the LORD can understand my sadness at their loss; it is not lack of faith. It is a tribute to how well they loved and how much they meant to me in this journey. And I reach out my hand and heart to the LORD and beg, “be with me LORD,” because I know I can’t do this alone.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.