Happy All Hallows Eve to all. This tends to be a day that sparks many questions about how a Christian should appropriately participate in the festivities of the day as well as a day that many of us struggle to wrap our head around the true meaning of.
Generally speaking, Halloween has become a day of distraction: distraction by the world, distraction by the flesh, and distraction by the devil; distracting us from the true opportunity before us to focus on how God is at work in our lives, the overall purpose of life, and the ultimate triumph of Christ over death.
At the same time, we often hear the criticism that Halloween is actually a pagan celebration to be avoided altogether. There is some truth to that criticism. As I understand the history from a high level and albeit abbreviated perspective, Samhain was a Celtic harvest festival that was also a time for the Celtic people to remember their dead in a very special way.
As the Church evangelized to the Celtic people, they kept in mind the words of Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious”. In this spirit, the Church honored the Celtic practice of remembering the dead and applied the Catholic faith to it.
As a result, All Saints Day (focusing first on the martyrs and then expanding to all saints) began to be celebrated to honor the good practice of remembering those that have gone before us in the sacramental life. All Souls Day was added a few years later (originating in France). Both were firmly enshrined in the liturgical calendar by the 10th century.
All Hallows Eve (or Halloween) then is simply the vigil for All Hallows (or All Saints) Day, not unlike Christmas Eve in that Christmas Eve is simply the vigil for Christmas Day.
Around the 18th century, particularly in America, an increased focus on evil spirits began to emerge. Stemming from that, we start to see the traditions of costumes, carved pumpkins and gourds, and large bonfires appear as superstitions to ward off the evil spirits.
It did not take long for companies to see these traditions forming and found ways to take advantage of the opportunity to make a profit off the holiday. I read that 25% of the annual candy sales in the United States occurs at Halloween.
But, what does all of this mean for us? I believe our invitation today is to rediscover the true nature of these important days that are upon us…these important days that many of us refer to as Hallowtide.
November 2nd, we remember the Church Suffering, the holy souls in purgatory.
Tomorrow, we remember the Church Triumphant, the saints enjoying eternal life in the beatific vision.
Today, then, seems to be a good day to focus on the Church Militant. A day to focus on our own faith lives and perhaps particularly on our own deaths as we ponder deep questions like the following: When the Son of Man returns, will he find faith in our lives? Are we eagerly awaiting the Son of Man with our lamps full with the oils of the Sacraments? When we say “Lord, Lord” at the judgement seat, will the Son of Man acknowledge that He knows us intimately?
As for participating in the festivities of the day itself, by all means, enjoy it. Enjoy the neighborhood bonfire. Enjoy the chili and hotdogs, along with perhaps a bottle of beer or a mug of spiked cider. Enjoy the children, the costumes, and the jokes.
At the same time, take a moment to reflect on the importance of this period of time we are entering into, and allow the Holy Spirit to draw you into this reality. This time that ultimately celebrates the fulfillment of all the prophecies made to the children of Israel. The Truth of Jesus Christ that has been made manifest through His Holy Catholic Church. This Truth includes “the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises” as declared by Saint Paul.
In the midst of the fun spirit of the day, remember that as we die with Christ, die to the world, die to the flesh, die to the devil, we rise with Christ in victory. Through death we have eternal life.
Praise the Lord Jerusalem as we proclaim “Memento Mori!”
Thanks be to God!
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