Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Expiation for the Dead
Dear Friends,
Judas (the commander) rallied his army and went to the city of Adullam. As the week was ending, they purified themselves according to custom and kept the Sabbath there. On the following day, since the task had now become urgent, Judas and his men went to gather up the bodies of the slain and bury them with their kinsmen in their ancestral tombs. But under the tunic of each of the dead they found amulets sacred to the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. So it was clear to all that this was why these men had been slain. They all therefore praised the ways of the Lord, the just judge who brings to light the things that are hidden. Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. The noble Judas warned the soldiers to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen. He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin. (Passage from the 2 Book of Maccabees 12:38-46)
I was at Eucharistic Adoration last evening at the Immaculate Conception Church from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. It was a very beautiful hour spent with Jesus who fills us with His peace and love. Today I will celebrate Holy Mass at the Little Shrine of Our Lady of Prince Edward Island at 9:30 a.m. and we will commemorate all the faithful departed. We will pray for the souls in Purgatory.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I bless you, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters, as the Church commemorates the faithful departed. The Jews would have sacrifices offered for the dead in order to make atonement for the dead so they might be freed from their sins. I call you, all My followers, to pray for the souls in Purgatory that they may be released from this place of suffering and enter heaven as soon as possible. It is in Purgatory that all those who are imperfect have to be purified and enter into glory. There are seven levels in Purgatory and one goes to the level that corresponds with his or her sins. All these rely on the prayers of the faithful on earth so that they might get out of there quickly and enter heaven. I call you, all My brothers and sisters on earth, to follow faithfully the commandments of God and all My teachings. Avoid all sins including venial sins and repent of all your sins. If you die in holiness you will not go to Purgatory but you will go straight to heaven. Be people of prayer and open your hearts every day to all the graces I have for you. I love you all.”
Father Melvin