Running/Praying for Souls

May the souls of the dead see the light...

Walking on the way home from my afternoon jog, I saw a family place a lighted candle in front of their gate. I am not sure, but I presume it has to do with the upcoming All Souls Day. When I got home, I did the same. I got a candle, went outside, and lighted it up.

There's a long religious debate on whether or not we should pray for/to the dead or not. There is also a long religious debate on whether or not purgatory exists, but I don't want to go into that. All religions can spend all the time that they want debating about dogma.

But for me, it makes sense praying for the dead. I don't know why, I am not sure either. I remember  attending a requiem mass sometime ago. The religious leader said:  "the dead cannot pray for their own souls, they need us, the living -- to pray for them."

I believed him. "They need us. They need us to pray for them." Tumatak yon sa utak ko.  Kailangan din nila ng moral support. The soul journeys from this world to the next. May transition na nagaganap. Endeavor. I think prayers serve as their moral/spiritual booster para makatawid sila sa next life (sa finish line?).

Parang pagtakbo din yan, kailangan mo ng someone na maniniwala sayo na KAYA MO. Kahit isang tao lang, sapat na. It just takes one person to wish and pray for your good luck and it already means a lot.

I dedicate this afternoon's run to the faithful departed, -- to the souls of those "nauna na."

Eternal rest, grant to them, God. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.