Atonement

I was up late last night, visiting with Monkey Toes' aunt and cousin who are here from out west.  They will be staying with us for a few days.  The kids also went to bed late and so I had the hope of maybe sleeping a little longer this morning than normal.  I was awoken to a small, sweet little voice crying, "help.  Help please.  Help me."  I walked out of my bedroom and found Sweet Pea in the bathroom.  She had tried to wash her hands and didn't dry them well enough, so her little hands kept slipping off the door knob.  She had a big grin on her face when I opened the door.  So my day has begun in full swing.

Our family is in the process of praying a 9 day Rosary.  We are doing this in honor of Monkey Toes' mom who passed away on June 22, 2010.  It is a cultural tradition in which the family gathers for 9 days leading up to the one year anniversary of the passing of their loved one.  As we have been doing this, I have discovered that not everyone shares the belief, nor understands the importance, of praying for the dead.  I don't think it is just a Catholic practice, as it is Biblical.  2 Maccabees 12 talks about praying for those who were killed in battle at that time.  The bodies were discovered wearing tokens of idols.  Judas and his army blessed the ways of the Lord - the righteous judge - praying that the sin of these men may be blotted out.  The passage concludes with these words:  "For if he (Judas) were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.  But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.  Therefore he made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin."  1 Corinthians also talks about one body with many members.  Just because a person has died, death does not remove them from the Body of Christ, but that they continue to serve the Body in very important ways - one in that they can pray unceasingly for us because they no longer have the distractions of this world.  O.k.  There is my catechetical lesson for the day.

I am cherishing this time spent with family, especially those whom we don't see very often.  It has been a lovely reunion, as such, and I know that these days will pass too quickly.  Today is a full day and will be one of great celebration.  I will post about these experiences at a later date.  As for now, I am thankful for this day, grateful for my family, and humbled at God's outpouring of grace and love.