Matthew 25: 31-46

Two very good friends made a promise to each other that if one goes ahead, the other would send a sign that she is okay in the next life. Many years later one of the two friends passed away. Many days after the burial, the one who was left was thinking of their promise to each other. On her way home, she saw a flower on the street. What got her attention was that it was not the season for this type of flower. Upon reaching the doorsteps, again she saw another flower of the same type. She became more curious. She only became convinced that the flower was a sign from her friend when she entered her bedroom and saw the same type of flower on the bed.

My dear friends today we pray not only for all our souls but also the souls of our loved ones. Our faith reminds us that we are only passing in this world and that there is life eternal.

While we pray for both our loved ones and the souls in purgatory, we also prepare ourselves because we do not know how much time we have. Three things we can do:

1. “Whatever you do to the least of your brethren, you do unto me.” While life is difficult and we have our own concerns, never forget to be a blessing to others, especially to the ones less fortunate.
   
2. Forgiveness. All of us have sinned and we are in need of God’s forgiveness. Yet, we can only be forgiven if we also know how to forgive.
   
3. Love God. Which is the most important of all commandments? Love of God and love of neighbor. How do we show our love for God? “Seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness and all these things will be added upon you.”

That is why today, three prayers:

• We remember all our loved ones who have passed away in this life. We realize that they will never be replaced in life, but we pray for the best – eternal rest.
• We pray for the souls in purgatory. Many of these souls have no more relatives to pray for except for the Church.
• As we remember our dead relatives we realize one of the greatest sources of wisdom in life, “All things come to pass.” As we remember one message in a tombstone: “Where you are now, once I was there. Where I am now, soon you will be.”