All Souls Day: November Second (A)

Abstract

Today we remember the souls in purgatory. It is a practice of the Catholic Church, 1000 years old. It even has roots in the Old Testament. When people thought that souls slept in darkness, with a shadowy existence, while awaiting liberation from the Messiah. It was called "Sheo!". Indeed, we believe that Christ, after his Resurrection descended into that underworld to liberate the faithful departed. Egyptians had an elaborate cult for their dead; Hebrews knew it but could not reconcile it with their concept of a unique God who had adopted them and was favourable to them.