As one year ends, and we prepare for the next to begin, it is time to look back and see who has passed on during the last year. Fortunately, we can find a list of notable people who died during 2009, here. As you can see, not everyone's story has been told. It would be good, for the dead and for those who remain, to tell the stories of those who have passed on. If you knew one of those on that list, tell their story. If you have someone who was important to you, who passed on during the past year, tell their story at our Virtual Cenotaph. Everyone deserves to have their story told, and by telling those stories, you are honoring them and their memory. Doing this will help open the way to the new year, so that you can enter it with mind and heart clear.
December 2009 Archives
Yesterday was the traditional date for the Feast of the Moon. Since the weather prevented me from going to the cemetery as I did at the beginning of the month, I was forced to stay home and meditate on what this holiday means.
On the Feast of the Moon, we remember our honored ancestors. Traditionally, this means that the priest recites the names of those within his parish who have died during the previous year, along with a record of their deeds in life. This is followed by a feast in memory of those who have died. Specific prayers on behalf of the dead, or of their loved ones who survive them, are also appropriate on this day.
Given that I have not had any deaths to recognize this year, I meditated on those who have brought me to where I am, and on the faith that I have gained as I focus on my Lord. It is good to know that, no matter who you worship, no matter what your faith, in the end, we all go through the same passage, before moving on to whatever destination our individual faiths lead us to.
