Memorial Day 2019 - The Souls of the Just

On May 5, 1868, In his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, General John A. Logan issued a proclamation calling for "Decoration Day" to be observed annually and nationwide, a practice which had already begun in the south. Where Veteran’s Day, in November, honors those veterans who survived their time of service. The purpose of memorial day is to honor our war dead.

Memorial Day asks us to ponder an important question: what do the living owe the dead? Especially if we believe that the dead served us, offered up, as Lincoln once described, “the final measure of devotion, of fidelity.” What do we owe them?

We are quickly becoming a society unable to remember history, disconnected from our roots, set loose from the lessons that our ancestors learned. So, on behalf of those who are so quickly forgetting, we remember those today who are most worth remembering: those who died for us.

The Roman Missal does not have particular prayers and Scripture readings for Memorial Day.  But for this Mass, I chose today prayers and Scriptural readings for the faithful departed. From the book of wisdom we hear of God’s promise to the just. That in eternity not torment shall touch them. The Lord in his most famous sermon, the beatitudes also speaks of eternal reward for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

We remember our heroes today—those who hungered and thirsted for justice, enough to die for it—and not just justice and peace for themselves, but for future generations.

Today we also recall our duty to not let their sacrifices go in vain. And we commit to not wasting the freedom they died for, we commit to fighting against tyranny and injustice in our own day, and remembering the lessons of the past.

With a spirit of profound gratitude for all who made it possible for us to be here today, we pray for our beloved war dead, and pray that we may, like them, hunger and thirst and work for justice and peace for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Let us pray to our Heavenly Father, confident that He is generous to those who call upon Him with faith.
For Pope Francis, Bishop Nelson, and all the bishops: may they rightly lead the Body of Christ in faithfulness to all the Lord teaches and commands.
For our President and all elected government representatives, may the Holy Spirit grant them wisdom and guide them to promote authentic and lasting peace in the world, an end to terrorism, respect for religious freedom, and a greater reverence for the sanctity of Human Life.
For the protection of all those who serve in our nation’s military, and for all wounded servicemen and women, for all those widowed and orphaned because of war.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our family, friends, and parish, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom for whom this mass is offered.
Gracious Father, hear the prayers of your pilgrim Church, grant us your grace and lead us to the glory of your kingdom, through Christ Our Lord.