Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we Christians can actually mock death as well as evil spirits. We have been given power over both. Yes, Halloween celebrations can be excessive and even sinful, but the way to deal with the excess is not to condemn fun, humor, and the mocking of death, but to teach the truth of God's power as manifested through the saints. If we spent as much time celebrating the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls, Halloween would simply be what it is: preparation for the bigger feasts.
(Christmas is no different. We celebrate Christmas excessively during the time of penance, Advent, and we forget about Christmas on December 26. If we celebrated twelve days of Christmas properly, then the silliness of pre-Christmas celebration would be what it really is: trite.)
Elena Maria Vidal understands as does The Anchoress, who comments on All Saints Day (and All Hallows' Eve) and posts lots of links. Mark Shea writes in the National Catholic Register.
Karen Edmisten also posts, as does Jeff Miller, who links to a good piece in Inside Catholic.
I have posted before on All Saints, Halloween,
Russell Kirk's Halloween gift, and celebrating a Catholic Halloween.
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1 comments:
Thanks for the mention, and for putting me in such august company. :)
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