All Saints
Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, a feast that lifts our eyes to heaven and reminds us of our true destiny. It is a day of joy, hope, and deep spiritual reflection. We honour not only the canonised saints whose names we know within the Canon of the Church, but also the countless unnamed saints who lived holy lives in the sight of God. They are our ancestors, our neighbours, perhaps even our family and friends. Today, we celebrate the great multitude “from every nation, race, people, and tongue” who now rejoice in the presence of God.
The Saints, show us the way of God’s divine path, that long straight, narrow path, that many of us fall and trip upon, but we need to have the courage and the faith to climb back onboard, and carry on. The examples of the Saints encourage us and spurs us on, telling us that our future is with God, since we are his adopted children.
The Gospel today was the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes. These words of Jesus are at the very heart of the Christian life. They describe the character of the saints and the path to holiness. In a sense they portray Jesus Christ Himself.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: To be poor in spirit is to recognise our dependence on God. The saints were not self-sufficient; they were humble. They knew that everything they had was a gift. St Teresa of Calcutta, for example, lived among the poorest of the poor, yet she radiated joy because she relied entirely on God’s grace and love.
Blessed are those who mourn: The saints were not indifferent to suffering. Think of St Monica, who wept for years over her son Augustine until he turned to God. Mourning in this sense is not despair, but a deep compassion and longing for God’s redemption.
Blessed are the meek: Meekness is not a weakness. It is a strength. The saints were not aggressive or domineering; they were gentle and patient. Jesus Himself said, “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” Meekness allows us to respond to others with love.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: The saints were passionate for justice, truth, and holiness. They did not settle for common ground. They longed for God’s will to be done here on earth. This hunger drove them to prayer, to service, and to sacrifice.
Blessed are the merciful: Mercy is the beating heart of the Gospel. The saints were merciful because they had experienced God’s mercy themselves. They forgave, they healed, they welcomed. St John Vianney spent hours in the confessional, offering the mercy of God to sinners, giving people spiritual comfort.
Blessed are the pure in heart: Purity of heart means having a single focus, a focus on the Lord. The saints were not divided in their loyalties. Their hearts were undistracted by worldly ambition. They saw God in prayer, in the poor, and especially in the Eucharist. Purity opens our eyes to the divine presence of all those around us.
Blessed are the peacemakers: Peacemakers are not just those who avoid conflict, but those who actively build bridges. The saints reconciled enemies, healed divisions, and brought unity. They were children of God because they reflected the Father’s love for all His children.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: Many saints suffered greatly, some even gave their lives. However, they did so with joy, knowing that their reward was in Heaven. Persecution did not defeat them; it purified them. Their witness inspires us to remain faithful, even in our darkest of moments.
The Beatitudes are a way of life. They are the path to Sainthood. Sainthood is not reserved for a few extraordinary souls. It is the universal call, our common vocation of every Christian.
Let us thank God for giving us ‘ordinary folk’, the ability to become Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven.
May we one day join that great multitude of Angels and Saints in Heaven, as they sing in one chorus of exultant praise, to the Lamb of God.
Rev. Fr Philip Wrigley's Blog 