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Sunday, November 2, 2008, All Souls
2 Maccabees 12:43-46, Revelation 14:13, Psalm 130, John 14:1-6
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/110208.shtml
CATHOLIC OR CULTURAL?
"If he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been
useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a
view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in
godliness, it was a holy and pious thought." —2 Maccabees 12:44-45
The writer of second Maccabees assumed that praying for the dead was an
accepted practice (2 Mc 12:44-45). He presented this practice as an
argument to show the truth of the resurrection of the dead. Paul also
assumed that praying for the dead, even baptizing them by proxy, was
unquestionably accepted. Like the writer of second Maccabees, he used this
practice to support the validity of the Lord's promise to raise us from
the dead (1 Cor 15:29). We know from early Christian history that those
called by the Lord to write the New Testament believed we should pray for
the dead. The reason they didn't write extensively in the New Testament
about purgatory and praying for the dead was not because they didn't
believe it, but because no Christian disbelieved these things.
Now we must decide if we are going to see the truths of divine revelation
as they are or with the blinders of our culture. Are we going to be
"cultural Christians," or are we going to be truly "catholic" and
transcend the limitations of our culture? Let's not allow our culture to
filter out part of the truth of God's revelation. Let's have the mind of
Christ (1 Cor 2:16), His Church, and the Bible. Let's serve in prayer some
of our dead brothers and sisters. Let's believe that Jesus' resurrection
prevents even death from separating us from Him and our brothers and
sisters in Him. "All are alive for Him" (Lk 20:38).
Prayer: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light
shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful
departed through Your mercy rest in peace. Amen."
Promise: "Happy now are the dead who die in the Lord." —Rv 14:13
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Whose death has given our life!
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
October 1, 2008 through November 30, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, May 1, 2008
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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