Today is the feast of All Saints. We remember these ordinary people, men and women declared officially by the Catholic Church as Saints, who attained glory at the altar of the Lord because of their fidelity to God and their Christian virtues. I believe that there are also so many Saints in heaven, unknown holy people, who are not declared by the Church, yet they are with God in heaven.
I never thought I’d meet real people here on earth, whom I consider living saints because of the way they serve others and love God faithfully. They work diligently, actively among the poor in a quiet manner, with all humility and generosity. There is nothing remarkable about them for they are focused on sincerity of heart as genuine witnesses of God’s compassion, care, and deep love for the people whom they serve.
Today’s gospel from St. Matthew tells us about Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. It conveys to us how to become Saints by following Jesus’ words and examples. This gospel passage is a practical guide to holiness which is attainable, within reach and real, but not expressing who those Saints are. Jesus is giving us principles which are concrete suggestions to action.
In our Nicene Creed, we express our belief about the communion of Saints. Thus, we are not far and remote from them, but united. Through our faith and prayers, we are perfectly in communion with them especially when we ask for their help, for they have this beatific vision granted to them by God to intercede for us. On our part as believers, knowing and meeting living “Saints” in real life, we are encouraged to continue committing to our Faith and the love of God. We must know thru them how to walk in the path to Holiness. It is in the ordinary that we encounter Christ and His saints and are given the grace to be the beatitudes.
Let us now reflect profoundly on some points that are significant to us:
First, the blessings that Jesus has mentioned in the Beatitudes are not material blessings, like winning a lottery or becoming richer. Rather it is about being spiritually rich and successful. In fact, it is a total opposition to all the world offers us. It almost turns all our notions of blessedness upside down.
Second, finding ourselves to be “spiritually poor,” we have nothing but God in our lives. Being poor, we discover God. St. Augustine promoted poverty of spirit and continence of the heart while living in Hippo with his friends and brothers in the community while doing their pastoral duties. Our Father, St. Augustine, says, ‘the love of neighbor was simply another expression of the love of God,” in the realm of spiritual poverty. Being poor, we can share much. In our poverty, we open our hands and our hearts to pray to our God who provides.
Third, when we find ourselves mourning, we shall be comforted because in our helplessness and starving for justice, we have nowhere to find true comfort except from our Savior who satisfies us.
Fourth, when we find God’s mercy for our sins, our pains and wounds heal. We receive cleansing of our hearts; therefore, we too experience and see God within us thru a purified heart from all the pains and woundedness. Thus, we can easily offer forgiveness and mercy to others as well. We become peacemakers, ready to dispense that special blessedness we have received. I believe that once God has given us His bountiful grace, His mercy overflows in our hearts. Now, we become true children of God and see Him face to face.
In today’s first reading from the Book of Revelation, St. John has a vision of a multitude of people, impossible to count, “from every nation, race, people, and tongue… These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress.” St. John is reminding us that reaching the promise of salvation has been attached to all kinds of difficulties and challenges in this present world. This is both a message and a warning to us that we will all succumb to suffering and difficulties here on earth; however, there is an end to suffering when we are faithful to Jesus, who sacrificed His own life so that we may live for all eternity.
This is indeed a great promise because all the saints of God are fully enjoying that “Blessedness.” We are also called to see and believe that we can also rejoice and be glad about all God’s elect.
May all the Saints of God, pray for us.
Fr. Arlon, osa