07 November Reflective Moments for the Web
November
The Communion of the Saints
November often finds me reflecting on all those holy women and men who have been a part of my life but have gone before me to be with God. Is this true for you, as well? We know that those special people continue to be a part of our lives and their prayer and their presence continue to assist us in our journey. There’s a beautiful line in the Vigil liturgy from the Order of Christian Funerals that reminds us of this: We believe the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death.
We who believe in the resurrection of Jesus look on this life as an entryway into a fuller life with him and with those whose relationships we have enjoyed.
Angela sought to live in right relationship with others and invited all her daughters and sons to do the same. In her writings we hear her telling us to encourage each other, visit each other, and support each other. She wanted us to have the name of each sister “engraved in your heart.” That’s how close she wanted us to be. I believe Angela would want us to continue that closeness to our sisters and to all those who were close to us in this life.
The Church has a name for this community of the faithful: The Church in Perfection is given to those in heaven. We celebrate their feast day on November 1, the Feast of All Saints. The Church in Purgation is what we call all those who lived good lives, did the best they could, but have not yet reached the fullness of life that God wants them to have. We celebrate their feast on November 2, the Feast of All Souls.
We who are still here striving to be all we can be are called The Church in Pilgrimage.
Together we all make up the communion of the saints.
Reflection:
Go with Angela to the feet of Jesus and visit those people who are a part of Church in Perfection:
Recall the people who have gone before you. Ask each of them what he or she would like to tell you now.
Thank those people who helped you to be a better person and to know God better.
With Angela speak to the Church in Purgation:
Express your love to them and promise them your prayers for the completion of their journey into heaven.
As a part of the Church on Pilgrimage, we are still on the journey as disciples of Jesus. We are encouraged to walk with each other in harmony, in peace and in hope and to serve all our brothers and sisters out of the gifts we have been given. We believe we will all be joined someday as one body – The Body of Christ of which Saint Paul spoke so eloquently and in which Angela Merici encouraged us to find our place.
Let us join hands and proceed as companions on the journey.