Since time immemorial, people have asked the question, “What is there after this life?”

There are three belief systems:

• First, nothing. This is the only life we have. Hence the saying, “He who dies with the most toys, wins.”
• Second, we get reincarnated to different creatures. If we do good, we become a better creature in the next life until we reach heaven.
• Third, we only have one life and there is judgement upon death: Heaven, Purgatory or Hell.

Today we celebrate All Souls Day. We Catholics believe that when a person dies, the soul either goes up to heaven, goes to purgatory, or goes to hell. Why do we Catholics pray for the soul? Three reflections:

• First, our faith tells us that if the soul is in heaven, they are enjoying eternal rest. They pray for us as we pray for them; If the soul is in hell, our prayers are useless. Remember, God will do everything for our salvation. He even sent His only begotten son. But God also respect the decision of the one who does not accept the love of God. That is why Jesus even said, “Depart from me you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devils and his angels.”
• Second, there is a place of purgatory. In 2 Maccabees 12:46 It is said, “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosened from their sins.” Yes, a person dies with sins forgiven but remember there are damages to the sin done by the person. A person who steals the property of his siblings may have eventually in the later end of his life returned it. But his stealing has caused a lot of pain and suffering to his relatives including the many generations thereafter. Purgatory makes a lot of sense because one needs to be cleansed for the damage the sin has done to people.”
• Third, there is no such thing as a wandering soul or a soul with unfinished business. There are no souls here on earth waiting for justice; there are no souls here on earth watching over the property or the family; there are no souls here on earth that do not know they are dead. Apparations seen by people are typically evil spirits mimicking a human being. They are deceiving and scaring people.

In this Mass we continue to pray for our loved ones. The most charitable thing that can be done; We also hope to have a devotion to the Souls of Purgatory. They are very powerful intercessors especially when released to heaven. Also, because everything in this earth is only temporary, we pray that we may set our sight in heaven. This is the biggest gift that we can give our loved ones. Should the day we pass away, they know that spiritually we are very much prepared.