A good place to begin our exploration of All Souls is to start with the concept of Holiness. If you’d like to take a 6-minute detour, take a moment to watch this video on Holiness which traces the scriptural roots of holiness, explaining how “becoming holy” is more than living a moral life, but a process of preparation for entering into the presence of God in the eternal Temple of Heaven. In speaking of the heavenly city and its eternal Temple, Scripture tells us that “nothing unclean will enter it” (Rev 21:27). In the biblical tradition, “unclean” (or impure) is not limited to sin. The Old Testament lists non-sinful things that can cause one to become ritually impure. What is common to the list is that they are things of “death” that reflect the incompleteness of the world and of people. When St. Matthew writes, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48) he is speaking of a wholeness, a completeness that carries no trace of corruption or death; a state ready to enter into the heavenly Temple. The Catholic Church teaches that Purgatory is a state/”process” of purification to become truly holy by ridding oneself of the last impure vestiges of our temporal life. If you are 99% generous, there remains 1% selfish which you need to let go.

This belief is rooted in the understanding of God’s holiness and the necessity of being fully purified to enter into the beatific vision of God. It is a concept that can be seen in Leviticus 11:44-45: God instructs the Israelites to be holy because He is holy, linking their holiness to His divine nature and separating them from the unclean/impure. Also in 1 Peter 1:15-16: calling believers to be holy in all their conduct because God is holy. It is a call and instruction to live a life that reflects the inherent holiness and character of God. In essence, it means to be set apart from sin and the world, dedicating oneself to God and living according to His will.

As the Creator and Redeemer, God is distinct, set apart, and perfect. His people are called to reflect this character in their own lives. This involves a degree of separation from the world in its corruption, worldly patterns of thought and behavior that are sinful. Being holy isn’t just a state of being but requires a consistent effort to live according to God’s standards in all aspects of life. This includes thoughts, conduct, and relationships. For Christians, the ability to live a holy life comes from faith in Jesus Christ. God calls people to a holy life: “He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Tim 1:9) The call to holiness is a command given to the entire community, not just individuals. It involves striving for moral purity and dedicating oneself to God’s purpose and will, individually and as a people.

Image credit: All Souls’ Day | Jakub Schikaneder, 1888 | National Gallery Prague | PD-US