Treading into the transcendent
B.F. SHOWRAYYA
|
Christians all over the world remember the departed souls and pray for their eternal rest on All Souls Day.
|
SOULFUL HOMAGE People remembering their departed loved ones. Photo: K. Ramesh Babu
All Souls' Day, celebrated on November 2 every year has its own uniqueness. The day is set apart to reflect on after-life and on the ultimate destiny of the human soul. Pondering on death, remembering the departed and praying for their eternal rest are part of the reflections the Christian devout go through on that day This reflection should normally unnerve us with fear and pain of death. But one event in the life of Jesus spares us the affliction. That is his resurrection. His words, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me though he were dead, yet shall he live; And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die," forms the core of the Christian faith. The words of Jesus about his resurrection are prominently displayed at the entrance to cemeteries. On All Souls' Day, the theme `resurrection' dominates the core of all devotions especially of the Holy Mass
Externally, All Souls' Day is `Tombs' Day' portraying the glory of the grave yard. Tombs are white washed or painted. Sepulchres are strewn with flowers, mostly roses and marigolds. Scented water is sprinkled over them. A profusion of lighted candles on the tombs signify life lighted anew in the departed. There is not a trace of sadness in any face; not a trace of tears in any eye.
Every tomb is considered a resting place of someone awaiting eternal bliss in heaven. Not all our rationale thinking can ever help us have this kind of total optimism. For the source of that optimism we have to look into the words of Jesus, "I am the resurrection and the life."
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
