All Saints (Solemnity)

Apoc 7.2-4, 9-14
I Jn 3.1-3
Mt 5.1-12

In the Church’s liturgical calendar, each November begins with the great feast of “All Saints” and then turns to “All Souls.
Today’s Solemnity of All Saints is an opportunity to celebrate those Christian souls who have reached heaven and who aid us with their intercession within the Communion of Saints, but who have not yet been formally recognized by the Church as Sancti or Beati.

We may pictures them as seen in the wonderful vision from the Book of the Apocalypse of those dressed in white robes worshipping the Lamb. Pre-eminent among these will be those who have died as martyrs, as Catholic tradition has long believed that martyrs find an immediate presence in heaven. It is a sobering thought that there were more Christian martyrs in the twentieth century and recent times than in any previous century.

However, we do have a pattern to live by on our journey in the Gospel for today’s Mass. In the Beatitudes, Our Lord sets out a picture of the life of a saint in the making. Those whose presence in heaven inspires us today began their journey just as we did in Baptism. They strove to live the life envisaged in the Beatitudes and achieved this on earth. They reassure us that with perseverance, faithfulness to the Church’s teaching and participation in the sacramental life it can be done.

Wedged between these readings is a beautiful selection from the First Letter of John, reminding his “beloved” Christians that God’s love for them is so intense that may be called “children of God.”The children of God are also those who have lived fully the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity and the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. Those, if you like, who are waiting in the wings to go on the heavenly kingdom.
At a time of much social distress and violence in our world, this feast reminds us of our dignity as daughters and sons of God, This should be a cause for joy and hope.Ba a cause of joy and hope for someone today!

May the Saints in heaven intercede for us. Amen.

Fr Osho