A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES ON EARTH AND IN HEAVEN
HEBREW 12:1
OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)
Heavenly Father, you sent us your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to found a Church, a Communion of saints. Grant us, your Pilgrim church, perseverance in our journey that we may join the saints in heaven in praising you, forever and ever. In Jesus’ name we pray.
CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)
REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION
CCC 946 – 953 How are we a Communion of Saints
CCC 954 – 962The Communion of the Church of Heaven and Earth
CCC 968 – 972 Mary the mother of Christ-Church
The “Communion of Saints,” is also called the Mystical Body of Christ or the Church, We are the pilgrim Church on earth still making our way back home. We fight hard to overcome the World, the flesh, and the Devil. We are sometimes called the “Church Militant.”
Another part of the Communion of Saints are souls purgatory, not yet purified and perfected but will one day enter heaven. They are members of the Church who have died and have not yet entered into the glory of God’s presence because of some unrepentant sin or effects of sin still remaining at the time of their death.
We believe that God in his mercy purifies Souls in Purgatory and purges them of their sins and effects so they may worthily enter into the presence of the all Holy God, “before whom nothing unclean shall enter.” Revelation 21:27
We call the souls in Purgatory, the Church Suffering. It is painful in Purgatory just as it is here on earth when God breaks us from our addictions and willfulness. The souls in Purgatory also suffer because they are separated from full communion with God.
We can pray for these loved ones in purgatory that they soon may be purified and perfected. Souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves but can pray for us. They can pray for us that we may have fortitude and perseverance in our journey home. They pray for us now and will intercede for us when they get to heaven.
The final group of saints is already in heaven, already experiencing the Beatific Vision. We call these saints, the “Church Triumphant.” We, the pilgrim church, celebrate in liturgy the “Communion of Saints” here on earth on back to back Feast Days of All Saints and All Souls.
The communion of saints, the Church, is truly God’s family. This should give us great encouragement. We are vast in numbers, too many to comprehend.
Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run the race, before us, with perseverance, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith who for the joy, set before Him, endured the cross, and is seated at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
CLOSING PRAYER (PRAY THE FAITH)
Lord God, you are glorified in your saints. In their lives on earth, you give us an example. In our communion with them, you give us their friendship. Around your throne, the saints, our brothers and sisters, sing your praises forever. With their great company and all the angels in heaven, we, too, praise your glory, now and forever. Amen.
LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)
1.Who are my favorite saints?
What is there about them that appeal to me?
2. How often do I pray for the souls in purgatory? My deceased family members? Those who have no one to pray for them?
3. Jesus is the one mediator and our Savior. Do we still pray to saints to intercede for us?
COME FOLLOW ME
JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH THE LIFE