“Judas (the ruler of Israel) 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 of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view of the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.” — 2 Maccabees 12:43-45
This weekend our country observes Memorial Day. The day was first observed as a time to remember those who have given their lives in defense of our country. Over the years people have been using this day as a time to remember all of our loved ones who have passed on. This indeed adds a deeper and a more personal reason to observe Memorial Day.
As Catholics, we encourage people not only to remember those who have come before us, but also to pray for them. There are those who question this practice and ask why would we do this since their time on earth is over. The answer can be found in the passage above from the Second Book of Maccabees. Judas Maccabee felt the need to pray for his fallen soldiers because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead. That belief is very much a part of our faith as Christians. Even though the departed have left us physically, they are still very much a part of the community of faith. The contributions they have made are still very much a part of who we are and how we live. If we fail to remember those who have come before us, our life in the present suffers.
At the same time, as Judas Maccabee clearly shows, none of us follows God’s way perfectly. And because of our belief in the resurrection, we believe that we will all be united with God in the heavenly kingdom. And we want to stand before God filled with his grace and mercy so that we might be as worthy as possible. And that’s why we pray. We pray for the deceased that they may stand true before God, and they pray for us that we may join them when it is our time.
Memorial Day gives us a number of opportunities. We, of course, remember those who died so that we can live as we do in this country. Let us also remember those who gave their lives here at home so that our country can be a better country. And let us remember our own ancestors, relatives and friends who enabled us to become the people we have become. And while we remember them, let us also pray for them. We pray that they may be enjoying all the glories of life in God’s Kingdom. We pray in thanksgiving for the good they have done for us in making our lives better. We pray in order to strengthen the bonds between the past and the present. We pray so that we don’t forget.
Fr. Kenneth Taylor is pastor of Holy Angels Catholic Church and St. Rita Catholic Church. He can be reached at fatherkt@mailhaven.com.
