| astrologizing.net All Hallow's Eve of All Saints and All Souls Days Mon. & Tues; Nov. 1-2, 2010. |
| Old Testament Reading Ecclesiasticus 44:(paraphrased) Let us now sing the praises of... our ancestors in their generations... those who gave counsel because they were intelligent; those who spoke in prophetic oracles; those who led the people by their counsels and by their knowledge of the people's lore; they were wise in their words of instruction; |
| New Testament Reading Revelation 7: 17 They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." |
| Homily: Faithfully Departed When I was a Catholic teenager, the words, "faithfully departed" meant those people who died within the confines of a religion or faith. It did not include those who were non-believers, agnostic, or not belonging to a church (particularly Catholic). It must have bothered me at times that my parents were non-believers or non-church goers; I was such a scrupulous little Catholic convert at 15 years old. I came from, what they now call, a horrendously dysfunctional home. My father was a strict man with a temper that resulted in beatings if I said something he didn't like. He beat my Mother and me unmercifully at times; one my worst was the result of my saying, " I can't help it, Daddy!" As he beat me he told me, "You never say, 'I can't help it' as long as you live! You can help it!" Needless to say, I don't even think, 'I can't help it!' My Mother became an alcoholic who tried to commit suicide many times. One time she nearly took me with her. She told me once that she gave up on me when I was three years old because she saw that I had a will stronger than hers. As I look back, I feel so sorry for my parents; they were caught up in a world that didn't agree with them; they got lost and suffered greatly. My Mother once told me that "there was no Hell in the afterlife; Hell was here on earth!" I don't tell these stories to garner pity or sympathy. I tell them to remind us that forgiveness is an ongoing, sacred, cultivated expression of the Christ light within each and every one of us. Whenever I think or speak about my parents and our relationship, I have to stop and forgive all over again. There is still residue of hurt lurking in my inner being. So on these days of the departed saints, souls, and sinners, I ask for forgiveness for any speck of resentment and bitterness in myself concerning my parents. May the Christ light embrace them with loving forgiveness and bring them to eternal life within his glorious Kingdom. Heavenly Father, Thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. You are a mighty and faithful Father who loves and forgives all. May we forgive as you have instructed us and may we bless all those who have done us harm. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Help us to forget as well as forgive so that, indeed, one day there will be no need for any forgiveness; because we are becoming souls without blame. In the name of Eesa M'sheeka we pray, Amen Respectfully submitted, J. Sue Gagliardi |
| As we meditate today, in the third minute, bring to mind all of yours who have departed this life; especially those with whom you may have some residue of bad feeling or need for forgiveness. Feel the love. |
| Can You Feel the Love by Elton John & Tim Rice |
