Greetings Prayer Warriors,
On All Souls Day, I went to Mass to pray for my departed relatives and ancestors. When sharing this with a Protestant relative, I was asked, “Why are you praying for the dead, aren’t they already in heaven?” That was a sincere question, and one many Protestants would have.
If he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. 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. 1 Maccabees 12:44-45
No one can assume that everyone goes to heaven. The Lord didn’t teach that otherwise there would have been no need for the Gospel to spread. Christ did atone for our sins during His Passion, and our sins are forgiven. But that doesn’t mean we have a free entrance ticket to heaven. If we break a window the owner may forgive us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to pay to replace the window. Christ gave us a free gift of love and mercy, however, we need to accept that gift and the price is high.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. John 14:15
Everyone knows that following in the way of the Lord is difficult. However, He has compassion for our missteps as long as we humbly return to Him and ask for His mercy. He never denies his mercy to a humble and contrite heart.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.” Mark 7:15
Prayer, sacrifice, humility, and reconciliation help to restore our purity. Thus, it should be no surprise, that if offered for another soul, our prayers may be purgative for them.
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. The treasure and wealth of the nations will be brought there, but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any[one] who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:10, 26-27
Pray for the living and the dead and your reward will be great in heaven.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Pray without ceasing! Pass it on!
