WORKS OF MERCY - HONOR
The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy are meant to be guides for how we can share God’s love with our neighbor. It is interesting to learn that these works of mercy extend to caring for each other not only in life, but also in death. Man is both body and soul, and these particular works of mercy highlight this fact in an important way.
Burying the dead is an act of mercy that acknowledges the dignity of the human body and hope in the resurrection of the body at the end of time. St. Paul describes this event: “Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
“Courage in burying the dead” is one of the virtues Tobit is lauded for in the Old Testament. It was so important that he risked his own life by doing it in secret against the orders of the ruler persecuting his people: “In the days of Shalmaneser I had performed many charitable deeds for my kindred, members of my people. I would give my bread to the hungry and clothing to the naked. If I saw one of my people who had died and been thrown behind the wall of Nineveh, I used to bury him...” (Tobit 1:16-17)
In the book of Maccabees, we find a clear example of praying for those who have died, that their souls be purified so as to be able to reunite one day with their bodies in Heaven: “But under the tunic of each of the dead they found amulets sacred to the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear…Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out…He [Judas Maccabeus] then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection in mind; for 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. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.” (2 Maccabees 12:40-46)
This Bible passage is often used as evidence for the Catholic belief in praying for the souls in purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church helps explain purgatory in this way:
“All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned…From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.” (CCC 1030-1032)
Of course, almsgiving, sacrifices, and prayers are also effective and encouraged for our neighbors who are still alive. In a 2016 General Audience, Pope Francis said: “Remembering the faithful departed must not cause us to forget to also pray for the living, who together with us face the trials of life each day. The need for this prayer is even more evident if we place it in the light of the profession of faith which states: ‘I believe in the Communion of Saints’. It is the mystery which expresses the beauty of the mercy that Jesus revealed to us. The Communion of Saints, indeed, indicates that we are all immersed in God’s life and live in his love. All of us, living and dead, are in communion, that is, as a union; united in the community of those who have received Baptism, and of those who are nourished by the Body of Christ and form part of the great family of God. We are all the same family, united. For this reason we pray for each other.’”
What are some practical ways that we can honor the bodies of those who have gone before us, and also pray for the living and the dead?
Attend funerals or send condolences to those who have lost a loved one. Even if you think that your presence won’t be noticed; even if you haven’t spoken to that person in a while; even if you only know someone as an acquaintance…it can be a true act of charity to reach out, show up, and pray for them and their loved ones. It usually matters more than you realize.
Help your own loved ones plan for funerals or organize a memorial event for someone in your family. Make a point to visit the burial sites of friends or family members and pray for them.
Make the sign of the cross and say a prayer for the souls in purgatory whenever you pass by a cemetery. A traditional prayer is this one: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.”
You can also learn the St. Gertrude prayer and make praying for the souls in purgatory a regular part of your prayer routine.
Get to know your local Catholic cemetery and the services that they offer. Many Catholic cemeteries have Masses that are open to the public.
Honor All Saints and All Souls Day by going to Mass and practicing other liturgical traditions in your home.
Consider offering a Mass and gifting a Mass card on special occasions. Mass intentions are for more than the deceased…they can also be offered for birthdays, anniversaries, times of struggle, or just because!
Let people know that you are praying for them. Get comfortable offering to pray for people and then consider keeping a book or list of prayer intentions to help keep yourself accountable.
Pray specifically for the unborn and for others whose lives may easily be discarded or go unnoticed.
