Quintessence of Religious Doctrines - Malankarasyriac Voice

56On the Prayer for the Departed 111 112Quintessence of Religious Doctrines(c)Commentprovide for them and take good care of them just asChrist does for the Church. (L.B.)vide. 1Cor. 12:12-27 & Gal. 6:2. (L.B.)The need of praying for the departed is elucidated with thehelp of the organic theory on the nature of the Ecclesia.This theory was proposed by St. Paul. The imagery of thetheory, however, is not to be applied too much literally. In thebody corporate of the Ecclesia Jesus is the head; eachindividual is an organ. Life of the organism, as also the healthof each organ, depends on the proper co-ordination of thevarious organs. Similarly for the health of the Ecclesia as awhole as well as for the health of each of her members,whether dead or alive, all the other members must care andpray for. This is what s meant by co-ordination. In the prayerfor the remission of sins we do not give any assurance forthe good conduct in future of the person prayed for. Thereis only the humble appeal to the compassion of Jesus. Thisway of putting things can be applied with regard to the prayerfor the remission of the sins of those on the death bed, whoseprospects of recovery are remote.5. And those who did depart from life with hope.Ref: (a) Ruth 2:20... The Lord always keeps His promises tothe living and the dead. (G.N.B)(b) Ps. 88:10-12. Behold you work wonders for the dead.The mighty shall get up and praise thee. Those whoare in the tombs will elaborate your mercy and yourfaithfulness in times of destruction; your miraclesin darkness your justice in the forgotten land. (V.G.)(c) 1Pet. 3:19... In his spiritual existence he wentpreached to the imprisoned spirits. (V.G.)CommentThe logic, as in the immediate above comment, is to be appliedin the case of the departed souls as well. If every one can,on the basis of the decree of Jesus, pray for every one else,till the Parousia, what is illogical, if one prays as Jesus did,for the departed souls, who are awaiting the second comingof our Lord.6. Prayers and sacrifices for the dead were in vogue in the JewishCommunity.Ref: (a) Deut. 33:6. May Reuben never die out; may his tribegrow numberless. (V.G.)(b) 2Macc. 12:42, 43. For this reason the entire multitudeof people weepingly prayed to the Lord not to writethis as a mortal sin. The mighty Judah supplicatedthe entire people to keep away from sin and protectthemselves. He told the people: you have seen withyour own eyes as to what all things befell thesepeople. He decided that the people make a collectionof money. He collected three thousand silver forthose who were killed He sent them to Jerusalem foroffering it as sacrifice for their sins. (V.G.)CommentThe theology apart, the S.O.C. considers the practice ofpraying for the dead, as sanctioned by Salvation history. Forthe S.O.C., this practice is historically a symbol of continuitywith Her Semitic origin. From the OT, it can be gleaned thatthe Jewish community had the practice of praying for thedeparted, even from the hoary past downwards.7. Further it is taught by our Lord through his actions.Ref: (a) Rom. 5:18. vide. (a) of 1 of Theme 20.(b) vide. 1Pet. 3:19, Jn. 17:20, Lk. 7:14, 15.CommentAs already mentioned elsewhere in this commentary, Jesusour Lord cared and prayed for the dead, both on the earthand in the Sheol.8. Further it was followed by the disciples of our Lord. Also it hasbeen practised in the Church from Her very beginnings till date.Through our prayer for the departed their hope for redemption