HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Homily for the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1st)

Revelation 7:2-4,9-14

Psalm 24:1-2,3-4ab,5-6

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12a

"You cannot be half a Saint; you must be a while Saint or no Saint at all", says St. Therese of Lisieux. Today's solemnity brings together the whole Church, both in heaven and on earth, to celebrate the triumph of God's grace, since all of us are called to share in the holiness of God himself and to live holy lives here on earth. The Church invites us to raise our hearts and minds to the immense multitude of men and women from all works of life who followed Christ here on earth and are already enjoying his presence in Heaven. This solemnity has been celebrated since the eighth century.

The First Reading tells us "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, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Rev.7:9-10).

The Church recognizes many saints of every age and condition today. We remember them each year and also have recourse to them as intercessors for our various needs. The seal they receive and their white robes washed in the blood of the Lamb are symbols of Baptism. This sacrament of initiation involves incorporation into Christ, this life of grace being later renewed and increased through other sacraments, especially Penance and the Holy Eucharist. Our good works also contribute to heightening this participation in the divine nature during our present life.

The Responsorial Psalm tells us "The Lord's is the earth and its fullness, the world, and all who dwell in it. It is he who set it on the seas; on the rivers he made it firm. Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? The clean of hands and pure of heart, whose soul is not set on vain things" (Psalm 24:1-4). The earth is the space of a person's life and death. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. We know that the earth is full of many riches which are subject to man's dominion. Nevertheless, the perspective of humanity's dominion over the earth is interrupted in an inevitable way by the necessity of death.

St. John tells us in the Second Reading, "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1). And the fact that in Jesus Christ we are children of God constitutes the substantial reason of our ascension towards God. How can a son or daughter not seek the Father's house? How can they not seek his face? St. John continues "we shall see him (God) as he is" (1 John 3:2) if we walk the path of the Beatitudes as the Saints did. "Blessed are the poor in spirit.... Blessed are those who mourn...... Blessed are the meek, ..... . Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake" (Matt.5:3-10).

Today we rejoice and ask the help of the countless multitude who have reached heaven after cheerfully passing through life sowing affection and joy almost without realizing it. Perhaps while living among us they worked at a job similar to our own. Since their working backgrounds varied so greatly there may be office workers, manual workers, university professors, businessmen/women, etc. Without doubt they must have had to confront difficulties similar to our own and had to begin again and again many times, as we make an effort to do each day.

The celebration of All Saints reminds us that in whatever vocation we find ourselves, God provides enough grace for us to aspire to the exalted position of holiness and sanctity. In the midst of our joys, the burdens we bear, and the sorrows we share, we must never forget our call to holiness. If you work well the kingdom of God will serve as a reward for us.

Therefore, let us imitate the lives of the saints, our fathers and mothers in tge faith, so as to improve our lives. If they can be saints, we also can be saints . We only need to persevere in doing God's word on earth, so that when we die we will also be received in heaven as saints.

May God grant us the grace of holiness of life and the grace of final perseverance through Christ our Lord. Amen.