As the souls of the just watch over us

As the souls of the just watch over us

“Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, '' Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”  I said to him, ``My Lord, you are the one who knows, he said to me, these are the ones who have survived the time of great distress, they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”   (Rev. 7: 13 - 14).

Think for a moment the scene in heaven where our friends and relatives have ascended into the realm of God, residing with other saints and angels, while worshiping God in all his glory, are able to view and plead for our turning away from sin and the very evil that attempts to surround us.  

Continuing to praise those who wear white robes; “They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them.  For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  (Rev. 7: 16 - 17).  

The Apostles’ Creed among other proclamations states, “I believe in the holy ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting, Amen.”  The communion of saints connects the three elements of the praying church; Those of us on earth the Church Militant, those in purgatory the Church Penitent, those in heaven the Church Triumphant.  

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“I believe in God” this first affirmation of the Apostles’ Creed is also the most fundamental.  The whole Creed speaks of God, and when it also speaks of man and of the world it does so in relation to God.”  Taken from 199 CCC.

Therefore, the scene from Revelation holds that those existing in the Church Triumphant are capable of not only viewing us but praying for the Church Militant as well as the Church Penitent.  When we seek prayers from church-named saints we must include those who have washed their robes in the Blood of Christ.

Herein is the absolute premise that all souls are connected through the Passion of Jesus and the truth found in Revelation.  God’s promise to send a savior for the sins of those who turned away from his love becomes our freedom from eternal death to everlasting life with him.

What completes the wholeness of God’s creation is the adherence of mans’ capability to trust in a God who has granted all the opportunity to reach his most endearing blessings through faith which is his grace given to us.

Ralph B. Hathaway