Today we celebrate All Souls Day. On this day and throughout the month of November, the Church makes a special effort to remember, honor, and pray for those who have gone before us.
When we remember those we’ve lost, it’s natural to feel some sadness, especially when we think of those we loved the most: parents, spouses, family members, and friends, but we must also remember what St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans: “Hope does not disappoint.” Pope Francis continued this thought when he said, “Hope attracts us and gives meaning to life … hope is a gift from God that draws us towards life, towards eternal joy. Hope is an anchor that we have on the other side.”
Most of the time, when I think of my parents, I think of the incredible faith-filled lives they led and all the ways they demonstrated that faith. My parents went on several mission trips to Africa and Central America through Rotary International, serving those in need. They fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and helped build shelters for the homeless, and did it all with humility and joy.
In fact, everything they did, they did with humility and joy. Those were the Christian values they constantly demonstrated, not just for my brother and me, but to us. It wasn’t just words. It was actions. It was how they lived their lives every day.
So when I reflect on their lives, I can’t help but smile, feel hope, and be thankful. They lived their lives fully and made their lives a gift to everyone around them. And what a gift they were to me.
Whoever comes to mind today on All Souls Day, or throughout this month of remembrance, chances are you remember them because of the impact they had on your life. Maybe it was a parent who led by example, a friend who was always there when you needed them, or a mentor who helped shape the person you’ve become.
Don’t shy away from those memories. Lean into them. Remember the wonderful people they were and the ways they made your life better. Think of something about them that makes you smile. Then take it one step further. Ask yourself how you can carry a little piece of that person into your own life. Maybe it’s their generosity, their kindness, their faith, or simply the joy they brought to others.
What better way to honor those we’ve lost than to continue sharing the light they brought into our lives with everyone who crosses our path?
