Sunday’s Readings Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; PS 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6; 1-John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
From the Pastor’s Desk… Feast of All Saints
We start this article with the question: Who are the saints? I think a little girl in catechism class gave a good definition in answer to this question: “Saints are those men and women that are in the stained glass windows at church, and the light of the sun shines through them.” And it’s true, a saint is a soul in the state of grace that has preserved intact the image of God, or has remade and perfected it all throughout life without spoiling it by sin; the saint then transmits this to others by their testimony of life.
It wasn’t easy for them to overcome the obstacles they ran across in their path. It was tiring for them to allow good to work in their souls, and they didn’t sell out to the traps that were laid for them. Being a saint isn’t doing miracles or amazing feats for future generations. The saints we celebrate today show us that following Christ is possible, and that’s what holiness is all about. Some were very influential in life; others went by unnoticed.
How many saints are there? The book of Apocalypse speaks of an immense multitude that no one could count, men and women of every race, age and condition that lived for others, that conquered egoism, that always forgave others. They are all on a pilgrimage, and as happens in processions, some of them have already gone into the church and others are still on the road. Their path has taken them along each of the Beatitudes preached by Jesus. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who suffer, those who hunger and thirst for justice, the merciful, the clean of heart.” We have to follow their example and live this same program.
Me, can I be a saint? Saints were not angels or heroes from another planet. They are people who lived in this world in times that were just as difficult as our own, or worse; but they learned to love. Their example should encourage us to continue on our way, full of hope. They have already reached their goal and encourage us to live a more intense and vigorous Christian life. If they could be a saint, so can I with the grace of God!
A few days ago the Church beatified almost five hundred martyrs who died for their faith during the religious persecution in Spain during the 1930’s. Their relatives and friends, or descendants, knew them personally. Everyone in their town can now pray to them and ask for their intercession before God. Let us also be the saints of our own time.
God bless you,
Fr. Oscar
