Commemoration of the Faithful Departed Yrs ABC 2024

Title

Children of the Risen Lord

Outline

We want vindication in this world, but God offers vindication in the resurrection

That is, “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.” Whatever happens in this life or in their physical death, in God’s purification for for their being “in peace.”

And that puts the blessed departed in a tension with this world.

Thus we rejoice in those identified with Christ’s death in this life and living the reconciled life beyond death

They are those who have experienced that “the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” So that we boast not in this world, but “we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

And the result is that their and our blessedness is not in this life but in resurrection life

“When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

And that makes all the difference

Rather than seeking honor and a position in this age, we are seeking purification in this age and identification with Christ, and the life of the age to come developing in us.

We want to be one of the faithful departed, experiencing our purgation now, so that we look forward to unity with Christ in resurrection life.

And that is why we call the faithful departed blessed, for their desires and hopes are not in this age, but they welcome its purification so we/ they may enjoy unity with our Lord in the age to come.