All Saints

The Solemnity of All Saints

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a

The lives of our parents steeped in unconditional love for us their children. The courage and selflessness of police, firefighters and emergency teams. The prayerfulness of friends and parishioners. The patience of those who are suffering from chronic physical pain or dying. The quiet, uncomplaining acceptance of people in the face of unspeakable life situations.

Unconditional love, selflessness, prayerfulness, patience, and acceptance.

Are these virtues not reflections of holiness? Do they not mirror the life of Jesus as experienced not only in the lives of the saints but also in our lives?

The liturgy today proclaims that God has given us a gift. A gift in which we celebrate the festival of [God’s] city, the heavenly Jerusalem, our mother. The bible opens with humanity in a garden and closes with us in a flourishing, golden city, a world of pure light, whose distinguishing feature is overwhelming beauty. We tend to equate beauty with the arts and nature. But is not the highest and fullest form of beauty found as Saint Irenaeus taught in the human being fully alive? And is not being fully alive mean living and dying like Jesus in offering our lives for others? That is holiness! That is beauty!

Holiness is not a quality to be attained. Holiness is a gift that we were given through baptism when we were washed in the blood of the living Lamb. A holiness to be nurtured throughout our lives. Thus the liturgy proclaims: Towards her, [the heavenly Jerusalem] we eagerly hasten as pilgrims advancing by faith. Holiness is a journey toward the city of God through which we are made saints by God.

Where do you experience holiness today?

In and through whose life do you see and experience holiness?

How is God’s holiness, this gift of self-giving, expressed in your life?