Posted by The WORD in other words (2021) Fr. Edgardo Bugtong, SVD (Taiwan)
All Soul’s Day — November 2
We are celebrating All Soul’s Day, a day dedicated to all our beloved departed brothers and sisters.
Interestingly, however, in the Philippines, we go to cemeteries and pay respect to them on the first day of November, which is the Feast of All Saints. I don’t know how this tradition began. But for me, it’s significant because yesterday (Nov. 1), we were reminded of our goal or destiny as Christians, that is, to become holy like our “Father in heaven is holy.”
Today’s feast, on the other hand, reminds us of who we are now and the process that we need to go through to reach our goal and destiny.
The gospel today outlines that process in reaching such a goal. It’s a straightforward instruction that we should do good: feed the hungry, offer a drink to the thirsty, welcome the strangers, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and those in prison. This instruction is the basis on which our Lord will judge us in the end time.
As a church, in all modesty, we can say that we have done many of these good deeds. The Catholic Church has established hospitals, orphanages, centers, and other service-oriented institutions in places where they are needed.
As individuals, we are urged to get involved and participate more in such efforts of caring for others.
Perhaps, there are areas where we need to grow more. But before God, we can say, “we are trying our best.”
We continue to ask God that, impelled by His love, we may serve more generously the needy, the lost, and the last of our society.
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