Homily by Rev Fr Jude Ekeshiri CSSp on the theme, ” In you o Lord is our soul at Rest” (Wisdom 3:1-9, Romans 5:5-11, Matthew 11:25-30).
Dear friends in Christ, yesterday the Church celebrates those who have triumphed into glory. Those who have fought the good fight, have ran the race to the end and they are now in God’s bosom. But today, we remember to pray for all souls, that is, those who have died, members of our families and friends and all those who especially have not been admitted into the company of the Saints. To these people we owe our prayers so that, they can be truly happy with God.
Death is actually a mystery because, it is a known fact that, everyone must die one day but nobody knows when he or she will die. The reality of death is inevitable and as such is really painful. That is why when we lost a loved one, we would cry uncontrollably because that person would be missed and the vacuum left by the demise of that person can never be replaced in our lives since no one can fill the space. In truth, the thought about death puts us into despair and fear. Thus, nobody wants to die.
The readings of today reminds us of the shortness of our lives in earth and that, the soul of the righteous are in the hands of God, where no torment can touch them. If this is true, why do we cry and wail for a loved one when they die. It is because we do not trust our ways of life or maybe we do not have hope in the resurrection of the dead. If we live lives of virtue and righteousness, no one will fear death when it comes because in God is our souls at rest (Wisdom 3:1-9).
Jesus assures us in the gospel that He will give us rest if we come to Him with our burden after we have laboured enough (Matthew 11:25-30). Our souls will only be at rest with God when we have laboured diligently to live a holy life, a life of righteousness. Dear friends, Pray for the dead and live everyday of your lives as if that day would be the end of your life. Strive constantly to be free from sin and heaven will be your home when you die. Peace be with you.
