“We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.” (Romans 6:9)
As Halloween approaches, our neighborhoods are filled with the familiar sights of pumpkins, ghosts, and other spooky decorations. Halloween can be a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the creativity, imagination, and fun that this time of year brings.
Yet, as I pass some of the more elaborate displays, I sometimes find myself reflecting on the place death has taken in our celebrations. Skeletons, graveyards, bloodied figures, and images of violence can become more than playful decorations. At times, it seems that death itself is being glorified, almost as though what is frightening, destructive, and lifeless has become something to celebrate.
As Christians, we approach the subject of death from a different perspective. We do not deny the reality of death, nor do we ignore the grief and suffering it brings. We remember those we have loved and lost, and we recognize how deeply death touches our lives. But we also believe that death does not have the final word. Our faith rests on the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and death and opened for us the promise of eternal life.
Saint Paul’s words taken from his letter to the Romans are the foundation of our Christian hope. It is only because Christ has risen that we can face even the darkest realities of life – trusting that God’s love is stronger than death and that the grave is not the end of our story.
This is an especially important reminder as Halloween gives way to the Church’s celebration of All Saints’ Day and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. The Church invites us to look beyond images of death and remember the saints who now share in the life of the risen Christ, as well as our loved ones for whom we continue to pray.
I have no desire to take the fun out of Halloween or to suggest that every skeleton or spooky decoration is cause for concern. There is room for humor, imagination, and even a little fright. But perhaps we can also ask ourselves what our celebrations communicate about life, death, and the things we value. As people of the Resurrection, however, we are called to be witnesses, not to the power of darkness, violence, or death, but to the enduring power of God’s love and the promise of new life in Christ.
May the hope of the Resurrection shape not only what we believe, but also how we live, how we treat one another, and how we face the uncertainties of life.
NEW PRIEST ASSIGNMENT – This week Fr. Rey, who has served our parish since June, will be returning home to the Philippines. We are grateful for his priestly ministry these past few months and pray not only for his safe journey home but a continued fruitful priestly ministry. I hope that the blessings of his time with us will sustain him as he continues to serve the Lord. Another priest will be joining us, and I will have more information about that next week.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION – This week we will welcome the Most Reverend Andrzej Zglejszewski, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please keep our candidates for Confirmation, their sponsors, families and Bishop Andrzej in your prayers this week.
ALL SAINTS and ALL SOULS – The Solemnity of All Saints takes place next Sunday, November 1. The Commemoration of All Souls takes place on Monday, November 2. In addition to the morning masses, we will prayerfully remember those who have died during this past year by reading each of their names at our All Souls Mass at 7:30 pm. On Monday, November 9, we will have our annual celebration of the Mass for Bereaved Parents and Family members, also at 7:30 pm.
Peace!
