That is what Scripture calls those who have gone before us into that world of light and life that we call eternity. During the month of November we pray for the souls of those who died and we also thank God for the things that we remember about them, little things maybe that make us smile and remember with love.
We think of the journey through life that these people have travelled, much of it with us and we reach out to them in gratitude for the witness of their earthly lives. People who die, we believe, do not go from us, but are part of the communion of saints, part of us still. That is very consoling isn't it? Our faith teaches us that they pray for us still and we certainly ought to pray for and with them. If they do not need our prayers to be released from Purgatory because they are already with God in Heaven, then we are taught that those prayers or Masses will be used for someone else who needs them.
Sometimes people say to us: "What a dreary month November is!" We don't like the short days and dark evenings which we get in this part of the world at that time. But November is a lovely month - a month of hopefulness in the promises of our God. Jesus promised us life - life in all its fullness both in this world and certainly in the life to come.
The Resurrection event is not a one-off happening - one day, Jesus promised us, we will all be part of that wonderfully changed life. "I am the Resurrection and the Life" Jesus assured us, "those who believe in me will not die but will live - they shall not hunger nor thirst, for the Lamb standing in front of the throne will feed them and be their shepherd." So says the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse as it was called.
Read Chapter 19 or Chapter 21 of this last Book of the New Testament. These Chapters are about the vision of Heaven that St. John was given. They are so wonderful and give us a glimpse of what it must be like, although our words are inadequate to describe the happiness of those who have won through and are part of the "great cloud of witnesses" around us.
John describes the sight and sound of Heaven.
He heard:
"the great sound of a huge crowd in Heaven singing: 'Alleluia, victory and glory and power to our God." Then a voice came from the throne, it said 'Praise our God all you his servants, and all those, great and small who revere him'. And I seemed to hear the voices of a huge crowd like the sound of the ocean, or the great roar of thunder answering: 'Alleluia, the reign of our God, the almighty has begun! Let us be glad and joyful and give praise to God, for this is the time for the marriage of the Lamb". John was told to write down this: 'Happy are those who are invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb!" Revelation Chapater 19.
Then he saw with his mortal eyes a vision of Heaven where 'God lives with mankind. He will make his home among us, they shall be his people, and he shall be their God., and he will wipe away all tears from their eyes, there shall be no more death no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.'
And what was Heaven like? Well, full of light and beauty.
"The gates are never shut, and there is no night there, the city did not need the sun or moon to light it, sincer it was lit by the radiant glory of the Lamb of God."
How wonderful - no sadness, no darkness, no fear, no pain. Only joy and singing and dancing for ever!!
By the way, Chapter 21 also says that the walls are made up of diamonds and precious stones, and inlaid with pure gold 'transparent like glass' - This is what God has prepared for those who love him.
So, to remember that, and to re-read it in the Bible, fills us with joy. November, then is a month when we get glimpses of Heaven, beside mists, cold, rain and dark nights this side of eternity.
Have a good November for what is left of it, and then look forward to how it all began here on earth - the lovely feast of the Incarnation. Take care.
There is a Place - Liam Lawton
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