The Communion of Saints

I love this tenet of our Catholic faith.

While I was at my cousin's funeral on Saturday and throughout these surrounding days, I have been praying for other family members both to welcome David home in Christ and to pray for us who are left behind. I picture my mom (Dave's godmother) and dad and sister, our grandparents, David's dad, our uncle, and many more, all behind Christ welcoming their beloved family member home whom they have watched struggle in time from their own healed and whole place in eternity. I find myself asking David to join all of these loved ones in praying for his family members, especially the ones who struggle to forgive the hurts for which he was responsible, especially his mom, siblings, ex-wife (who still loves him, I believe, despite everything) and son. I even find myself asking the departed siblings I know to pray for David's siblings, including my sister Karen and the siblings of friends who I also join in praying for their family who still miss them so much.

The richness of knowing that we are still united in the Holy Spirit beyond death does not detract from my approaching Jesus with these intercessions, as I know that all of their prayers still reach the Father only through the Son by the Holy Spirit. But knowing that we are united now, that I don't have to wait until I join them in eternity to be with them, is a great gift.