A Song for All Souls

Nov 5

Last weekend, I heard an old song on an oldies radio station called “A Song for You.” This song was written and recorded in 1970 by rock singer and pianist Leon Russell. It has been described as a slow, painful plea for forgiveness and understanding from a man who had broken up with his girlfriend after a long-term relationship.

The line that stood out for me was: “I loved you in a place where there’s no space or time. I loved you for my lifetime; you were a friend of mine. And when my life is over, remember we were together. We were alone, and I was singing this song for you.”

Over the past fifty years, many artists have recorded the song: Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Whitney Houston, Peggy Lee, and Andy Williams. Each singer made the song his or her own. Each version emphasized different aspects of the universal experience of heartbreak and regret.

I heard The Carpenters’ version of the song on All Souls Day. Besides the heartfelt voice of Karen Carpenter, the words of the song reminded me of our Christian belief in the communion of saints. Our celebration of All Saints and our commemoration of all the faithful departed tells us that we are not alone in our faith life. We are together on our journey through this valley of tears. We are part of a Church – a community - that is not limited but extends beyond time and space. United in Christ, our spiritual solidarity creates a connection that binds past, present, and future believers in life, love, and faith.

In this light, the doctrine of purgatory is a comfort for all of us who need forgiveness, understanding, and a new beginning. The belief in a period of purification after death is a statement of the sanctity of love and life. It is a real reminder that we are not alone. Similar to Russell’s song, purgatory is a place where there is no space or time. During this experience, the soul faces heartbreak and regret. The difference is that purgatory always offers hope.

As November continues to unfold, we pray that we “may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints (Ephesians 1:18).” The love we share, the souls that have gone before us, and the songs we remember, remind us of the hope to which we have been called.

St. Francis de Sales told us that relationships begun in this world “do not unravel after death. They will be taken up again, never to be broken off.” So, when our life is over, we will remember that we are not alone, but always together. Together in hope.