All Souls’ Day falls on the Sunday following All Saints’ Day, marking the first two days of November—the most somber month of the year—during which we celebrate the lives of all the saints and remember our deceased family members and friends in our prayers. These subsequent days initiate what is usually a prayerful and contemplative month, as they remind us of the temporal nature of our lives. At the same time, they help us become grounded in faith, making us aware of what it means to live fully and meaningfully, following the examples set by the saints and our departed loved ones.
As I reflect on these memorial celebrations, I think of Tomas Halik’s words in his book, Night of the Confessor, our book of the month. Referring to the writings of Edmund Husserl, Halik states:
“Our loved ones never really die—we continue to sense them looking over our shoulders, approving or disapproving of what we are doing. Yes, that’s why I have these pictures here: there have been many occasions when I have stood in front of them, wondering what advice they would give me in a particular situation, how they would appraise the steps I intend to take, or what they would do in my shoes.”
These words remind me of my sister Rina, who passed away last July. She often makes her spiritual presence felt in my work and journeys. The legacy of love, care, faith, and courage she left us continues to inspire and guide me. Indeed, she often looks over my shoulders, affirming and encouraging me to embrace life fully and to keep loving and caring unconditionally.
I hope that you experience something similar with the special people who have preceded you in this world. I pray that they continue to inspire you to become the best version of yourselves. I also hope that their work continues through their prayers for you, hoping that they are now enjoying eternal bliss in heaven.
As we approach Thanksgiving Day, November is a time to deepen our gratitude to God for all His blessings, especially the gift of life. To cultivate this virtue, we must nurture a profound faith in God and His ways, particularly during these challenging times of confusion and conflict. We must continue to recognize God’s hand at work in our lives, even in His seeming hiddenness.
In this Jubilee of Hope within our Church, let us become beacons and agents of hope through our acts of service, kindness, and compassion for others. May our minds and hearts remain open to God and to life, embracing all its mysteries.
Your loving pastor,
Fr. Rodel Odey Balagtas
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California
