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If we believe in God, we have to believe that God is more powerful than we.
-Rev. John Phalen
The Grateful Dead
November 2004Rev. John Phalen, CSC, President
Holy Cross Family Ministries
It is the month of the grateful because of Thanksgiving. It is the month of the dead because of All Souls Day and All Saints Day. It is the month of “The Grateful Dead”!
That’s the way my mind works! So I had to call up my brother-in-law in Denver, a “Dead-Head” from way back, to find out the origin of the title of the famous band featuring Jerry Garcia.
It seems that the “Grateful Dead” is from a cycle of folk tales which feature a hero who is willing to spend his last penny seeing that those killed—in battle or in the plague—had a decent burial. Such an act of heroic kindness is repaid. A companion appears to accompany the hero and assist him in his travels, now that he has no money. It turns out, as the tale concludes, that this companion is none other than “the grateful dead” one who has been mercifully buried.
Interesting story; no? What does it have to do with November’s feasts of the dead and the grateful?
We are remembering the dead all this month, and with an attitude of gratefulness for their influence in our lives. Imitation being the highest form of compliment, we hope to be able to develop some of the values and virtues they manifested in their lives. We all find that our deceased loved ones come to mind often. Sometimes we find ourselves speaking their favorite sayings or remembering their wise advice.
The fact is, those who have died continue praying for us and encouraging us in our journey of faith. They thus remain with us. For this we are grateful.
We also pray in thanksgiving for all God’s blessings on Thanksgiving Day. It is a time to pause and learn to take nothing for granted. Those who have died remind us that life is short and every good blessing comes from God. Together, we express our gratitude.
So November is the month of the grateful and of the dead. As far as the “grateful dead,” I suppose that the gratitude of those who have died is not so much for the simple fact that they were buried or cremated respectfully, but more for all the blessings they received in their lifetime, and indeed for our prayer for them since they have died. One day we will join their ranks. May we keep them ever in our thoughts and prayers.
Blessings in the Season of gratitude!