Solemnity of All Saints: Readings - Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12
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I
Sharers of His Divine Inheritance
We are beginning the month of November by honouring all the saints of the Church. It's a day to recall that the Church is blessed with holy men and women, children and adults. In other words, these holy people are part of God who have lived a life in this world; a world full of messiness and complexities. They have struggled to live their life in truth, justice and peace. Finally they have found true peace and joy in the Lord.
Christian life is a life of celebration. We are Easter people. By our identity as Christians and Easter people we are called to be a joy and celebration to others. We are not a stagnant generation in our journey to the eternity. We not only strive to be sharers of His divine and eternal kingdom but also take others along with us. By our baptism in our Lord, we are already called "saints" by the grace of God (Colossians 1:2). There is an assurance for us that we would “share in the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12). In our second reading, St. John the Theologian utters those reasons for hope and celebration. We are not only called "children of God" but also "we do know that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as He is"(1 John 3:1-3). The vision of God for us is that we belong to God because he is indeed our Father.
Saint John’s vision of the heavenly Jerusalem is recorded in the book of Revelation very powerfully. He writes: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9). Heaven includes everyone and despite their differences here on earth, these people are able to speak together with a common voice. God is communicable to everyone and God's strength is that He can give salvation to all in the name of Jesus, His Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
II
Called to be Holy and Called to be Blessed
The Sermon on the Mount begins with a call to holiness. The word "Blessed" appears 9 times in the passage (Matthew 5: 1-12). Jesus repeats this word in order to bring home that only those who are blessed would be able to carry out the work of God on this earth and will have a place in the heavenly Kingdom. The call of Be-Attitudes is a powerful message for us to imbibe the Christ like attitude in our lives and especially when we struggle with the nitty gritty's of this world where nothing is clear and distinct as black and white. We have to tread simply and boldly the path of Jesus aiming on the goals God has set for us that is to be men and women of the spirit of God, of meekness, of mercy, of peace, of thirst for righteousness, of pure heart, and of peace makers. The challenge for us is to grasp, internalize and live those truths of the Gospel so that truly we are called the disciples of Jesus.
Certainly, our road to the blessedness that Jesus invites us is not so easy. We will have to suffer, persecuted, tortured, tormented, falsely accused and all sorts of malice to be borne. To be a prophet of our times is difficult. The mystery of life is always guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. Actually, it is the Spirit of God who makes us to be bold in this world. There is a future in the vision of God, which reminds us to live our lives to the end with integrity and by assimilating the beatitudes of Jesus in our christian living.
So on this day, we remember and honour those who have finished their earthy struggle and dwell with our Lord as his children, seeing Him as He is, face to face. Here we are looking for their inspiration and intercession, so that our life on earth may be a courageous one. We need their prayers and the light of God, thus our lives are able to live with hope and truly become a reflection of God's vision.
Prayer:
Lord, we need holiness and transformation that only you can provide. May the Saints whom you have raised in our Church be a true inspiration to live our lives according to the values of the Gospel. Help us with a spirit of courage and faithfulness to struggle well and to reflect more of your image. AMEN.
Questions for reflections:1. Who are my favourite saints?
2. How do I live my life of holiness in everyday affairs?
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
31st October 2020
7 comments:
Best motivational article of faith! Exceptionally good and informative. Thanks Olvin. Wish you happy feast!
" A lot of hard work is hidden behind nice things."
Dear Rev.Fr.Olvin, your article learns a trace of you, your ideas and your expertise. It's full of inspirational and moving quotes from the Scripture. Captivating in-depth brief explanation that grabs my interest and makes me to think differently. Thanks for your generous sharing. Looking forward to hear from you in the next article. Praying for your good health.
Hi Olvin! It's nice article. Great insights. I have read it. Thanks for providing this wonderful blog for readers. I'm much grateful for your efforts.
Incredibly inspiring Article!
Your wonderful message reminds me of the famous quote," A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure inspite of the overwhelming obstacles".
I'm very much taken up by the way you inspire us from the life of all Saints.
"Believe you can and you are halfway there". Let's be honest in aspiring to become saints in our thoughts,words and deeds, Amen. Father my heartfelt gratitude to you and to God who is inspiring you.
I find real life and joy to read your article! It really energizing.
This tiny article that you have written with great love, leaves me with a miraculous touching message to embrace, speak, live and walk the truth. Thank you.
Inspiring message....leaves me in very deep thought.
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