From the Pastor
Fr. Mike Comer shares his thoughts on Scripture, spirituality and the challenges of living the Gospel.
in november we remember our mortality
Nov. 1, 2026
November is the last month of the Church year. The last Sunday of the Church year is the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, which will fall on Nov. 22. The new Church Year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, which will fall on Nov. 29. As it is the last month of the Church year, we focus on what are referred to as the Four Last Things—Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.
The reality for each of us is that we will someday die. So, what happens to us at death, and what follows death?
At the moment of death, the body and soul separate. The body becomes a corpse, and the soul becomes a ghost. The body is dead. The disembodied soul is severely limited. A human being is a body/soul continuum. Plato believed that the body was a prison for the soul, which was set free at death. That is not the Christian perspective. A soul without a body is like a great singer who has lost his or her voice. Or a wonderful ballet dancer who has been paralyzed. The soul without the body is seriously handicapped.
At death, the soul undergoes what is called the particular judgment. It is at that moment when it is determined if we are to go to heaven or hell. If we are going to heaven, the next question is about Purgatory. Too often, we look at Purgatory as a place of punishment. I see it as a place (or state of being) for healing. When we die, most of us will likely need further purification before we can enter the fullness of peace, joy and holiness that is heaven. Nothing evil or selfish can enter heaven, and most of us at death will still have some of this that has to be healed.
For those who have been perfectly purified, they will go to heaven. More info in the next item about heaven.
The reality for each of us is that we will someday die. So, what happens to us at death, and what follows death?
At the moment of death, the body and soul separate. The body becomes a corpse, and the soul becomes a ghost. The body is dead. The disembodied soul is severely limited. A human being is a body/soul continuum. Plato believed that the body was a prison for the soul, which was set free at death. That is not the Christian perspective. A soul without a body is like a great singer who has lost his or her voice. Or a wonderful ballet dancer who has been paralyzed. The soul without the body is seriously handicapped.
At death, the soul undergoes what is called the particular judgment. It is at that moment when it is determined if we are to go to heaven or hell. If we are going to heaven, the next question is about Purgatory. Too often, we look at Purgatory as a place of punishment. I see it as a place (or state of being) for healing. When we die, most of us will likely need further purification before we can enter the fullness of peace, joy and holiness that is heaven. Nothing evil or selfish can enter heaven, and most of us at death will still have some of this that has to be healed.
For those who have been perfectly purified, they will go to heaven. More info in the next item about heaven.
All Saints Day
Today, Nov. 1, is the Feast of All Saints, when we remember and commemorate those who have died, and who have completed the Last Purification, and who are now in Heaven. This includes those saints who have been recognized by the Church and have been officially recognized as saints. It also includes those unofficial saints, our families, friends, and acquaintances, who are in heaven, but no one knows for sure.
The first reading today, from the Book of Revelation, describes the Heavenly Liturgy where those dressed in white stand around the Altar of the Lamb. They are described as those who have survived the period of trial (this life) and who have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (they have washed their souls in the blood of Jesus).
The second reading describes all of us as children of God but says those in heaven will be like God, for they will see Him as He is.
Finally, the Gospel describes the saints as those who live according to the Beatitudes.
The second reading describes all of us as children of God but says those in heaven will be like God, for they will see Him as He is.
Finally, the Gospel describes the saints as those who live according to the Beatitudes.
All Souls Day
Monday, Nov. 2, is the Feast of all Souls when we commemorate all who have died and who perhaps have not completed the Final Purification—those who are described as the Poor Souls in Purgatory.
The sufferings of these Poor Souls is often described as punishment. But I see it as a process of healing. Those in Purgatory are already forgiven for their sins. They are saved and have no fear of Hell. The sufferings are their sorrow for their sins, the process of healing that sets them free from the fact that their separation from God and heaven is the attachment to sin that they have not let go of. But they are closer to God and Heaven than we are and are happier than we are. They pray for us constantly.
We pray for those in Purgatory, and our prayers help them in their final stages of pilgrimage to Heaven.
We never know who is still in Purgatory. Certainly, we hope that those we love are already in Heaven, but we do not know that. We continue to pray for our beloved dead for the rest of our lives. And we know that they are praying for us.
—Fr. Mike Comer
The sufferings of these Poor Souls is often described as punishment. But I see it as a process of healing. Those in Purgatory are already forgiven for their sins. They are saved and have no fear of Hell. The sufferings are their sorrow for their sins, the process of healing that sets them free from the fact that their separation from God and heaven is the attachment to sin that they have not let go of. But they are closer to God and Heaven than we are and are happier than we are. They pray for us constantly.
We pray for those in Purgatory, and our prayers help them in their final stages of pilgrimage to Heaven.
We never know who is still in Purgatory. Certainly, we hope that those we love are already in Heaven, but we do not know that. We continue to pray for our beloved dead for the rest of our lives. And we know that they are praying for us.
—Fr. Mike Comer
