COMMEMORATION
OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Matthew
25: 31 – 46
We
always recall things in a particular way. Every time we visit the dead in the
cemetery, aside from praying for them, we always recall our memories, our particular
memories with them. We talk about their favorite food; our unforgettable
experiences with them; and most especially, those precious memories which
happened weeks, days, or hours before they died. In my case, I could still
remember the exact date and time when I was able to hug my mother for the last
time – May 18, 2013 at 3:00 in the morning at the basketball court where our
car was parked.
Our
Gospel reading today which is taken from St. Matthew is the conclusion of the
public discourse of Jesus. Yesterday, we heard his “inaugural speech” as he
proclaimed the “Blessed” on his sermon on the mount. Today, Jesus once again
acknowledged the “blessed ones,” “the sheep,” – those who have been faithful to
the Lord up to the very end. And if we compare the two readings, we realize
that Jesus was very particular in naming the blessed ones and condemning the
wicked ones. The “Blessed ones” are those who are “poor in spirit,” “those who
suffer because of Christ,” “those who fed and gave him drink.” “those who
visited him while in prison and sick,” “those who clothed him and gave him a
shelter.”
This is
therefore our challenge in today’s Mass – that we love in particular! Every
time we go to the cemetery, we are very particular in cleaning and repainting the
niches of our loved ones. We spend a lot to buy the particular flowers and
candles for our beloved dead. We even bring them their particular favorite food
while on earth. There is nothing wrong with these kind of practices! However,
our Gospel today reminds us to take care not only of the dead but also of the
living! If we can give food and drink to the dead and provide them a good
shelter, why can’t we give these things to the living?
Another
important observation from the Gospel is that the demand of Jesus is not
complicated. He did not praise the “blessed ones” because they have written
volumes of books about God or have contributed millions to charitable works. He
praised them simply because they recognized him in the poorest of the poor.
Jesus’ demand of love is not only particular but it also asks each one of us to
see him in the most ordinary and simple people. Why is this so? Because our
human tendency is to love those people who are “extraordinary” to us – those
whom we admire the most, those whom we idolized the most, those whom we
consider special in our lives. We cannot simply love the ordinary. It is
difficult to love those who need simple things – food, water, shelter, friends,
and family. Why? Because all the while we think that these people can simply
provide for their own.
This is
our challenge today – that we love in particular and the ordinary! Alfred North
Whitehead once said, “we think in generalities, but we live in detail.” It’s is
so easy to think and talk about love. It is very general and ideal. However, it
is not love unless it is lived in the particular and practiced in detail.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta also said, “we cannot do great things! Only small
things with great love!” We are not miracle workers. Yet every time we learn to
feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and those in prison,
give clothes to the naked, and shelter to the homeless, is already a miracle of
the ordinary, a work of love!
And so,
may our visit to the dead in the cemetery, not only remind us of our particular
and detailed experiences with them. Rather, may they also inspire us to love in
particular and the ordinary by loving in detail and doing ordinary things with
great love. Amen!
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