Saturday, May 23
“The Church that unites the living and the dead” Reflection by Fr. Pavlo Myts
📺 Please find today’s video reflection below:
https://youtu.be/CApwwnxGOBk
“The Church that unites the living and the dead”
(John 21:15–25 [regular] and John 5:24–30 [for the departed])
Before the feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, our liturgical tradition observes what is called a “All Souls Saturday.” This is not a random custom, but a deeply meaningful spiritual logic of the Church. Standing on the threshold of the great feast of Pentecost, the Church prays not only with the living, but also with those who have already passed into eternity. In doing so, we express our faith that the Church is universal — that it unites both the living and the dead. Death, as we know, does not break unity in Christ.
Thus, as we prepare for the feast that reveals the Church as the Body of Christ, we remember all its members. In fact, before Pentecost, the Church gathers all her children in one prayer: those still on earth and those already in eternity. There is also another deep meaning here. The Holy Spirit is the “Giver of Life,” as we pray in the prayer “Heavenly King.” That is why, before the feast of life, the Church prays for the departed — entrusting them to God’s mercy and asking that the Holy Spirit lead them to the fullness of resurrection and eternal life.
At the same time, this Saturday is a very personal reminder for each of us. It places before us a simple but important truth: our life is not limited to earthly reality. Each of us has an appointed time, and none of us will remain here forever — we are all called to eternity.
That is why it is so important to learn to value each day — both our own life and the lives of our loved ones.
- How wise it is in marriage to value one another, not wasting precious time on conflicts, resentments, and proving who is right.
- How important it is not to miss the chance to visit our parents, to speak with them — because they will not always be with us.
- What a great gift it is to spend time with children — to be with them, listen to them, share their world — because they grow so quickly.
- And it is equally important to remember our departed loved ones — not only keeping them in memory, but praying for them, entrusting them to God’s love, which is stronger than death.
Life does not wait until we “finish everything” before we begin to truly love. It happens here and now — in simple encounters, daily conversations, and small moments we often underestimate.
The real tragedy is not that life is short, but that we sometimes live it superficially, without truly loving. So perhaps the most important question today is:
Do I live in such a way that my loved ones feel that I love them — today, not someday?
Because love postponed is often never expressed. But love lived today becomes a treasure that does not disappear even in eternity.
Mission tasks
- Personal level: Take time for personal prayer for deceased relatives and ask God for the grace to truly value life and the people around you.
- Parish level: Find out the schedule of memorial services in your parish and participate in them,
helping preserve the memory of the departed. Also help others easily access this information. - Mission level: Be a bearer of hope for those experiencing loss — especially due to war —
supporting them with words, presence, and prayer