ALL SAINTS DAY NOVEMBER 1
All Saints day, a Holy Day of obligation in many parts of the world, is celebrated on November 1. We call these saints, the “Church Triumphant.” “We are vast in numbers, too many to comprehend.” Revelation 7:9
We are “the pilgrim Church” on earth still making our way back home. We are sometimes called the “Church Militant.” We have to fight hard to overcome the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. We, here on earth, celebrate in liturgy the “Communion of Saints” on back to back Feast Days of All Saints and All Souls Day.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT MATTHEW 5
Who is a saint? A saint is blessed… someone who is set apart for God’s special purposes and responds to that call. Where do we find those blessings in Scripture? In Matthew 5, of course. Saints worked hard to become what Jesus called them to be in the Sermon on the Mount:
To be poor in spirit. To be meek. To be merciful. To make peace. This is how we begin to become what Jesus called “blessed,” and who the Church calls saints.
We, too, participate in this blessedness in the measure we accept Jesus and follow Him, according to our state in life. With Jesus, the impossible becomes possible. With Jesus’ help, we are able to become “perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
All Saints Day is an opportunity to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in the faith….showing us the Way to the Father.
Living saints among us could be our own family members. It could be that special family member that prays for all the other members. It could be a family member that not only taught us the faith but lived and modeled the faith, we practice today.
On All Saints Day, let us give thanks for both the saints in glory and those on earth, who have led us to Jesus. There is only one real sadness in life and that is not to be a saint. Don’t miss the opportunity. Choose the narrow gate, Jesus!
HEBREWS 12:1-2
ALL SOULS DAY NOVEMBER 2
The Holy souls in Purgatory are part of the Communion of Saints, not yet purified and perfected, but will one day enter heaven. They are members of the Church who have died and have not yet entered into the glory of God’s presence due to some unrepentant sin or the effects of sin still remaining at the time of their death.
We believe that God in his mercy purifies them and purges them of their sins and their effects so they may worthily enter into the presence of the all Holy God, “before whom nothing unclean shall enter.” Rev. 21:27
This purgation of sins and its effects is the reason we call the souls in Purgatory the Church Suffering. It is painful in Purgatory just as it is here on earth when God breaks us from our addictions and willfulness. The souls in Purgatory also suffer because they are separated from full communion with God.
We can pray for these loved ones in purgatory that they soon may be purified and perfected. Souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves but they can pray for us. They can pray for us that we may have fortitude and perseverance in our journey home.
It is extremely important to pray for them that they will soon see God, face to face in the Beatific Vision. They pray for us now and will intercede for us when they get to heaven.
ALL SOULS DAY NOVEMBER 2
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, Through the mercy of God, rest in peace Amen
REFLECTION
Are we ready to be canonized? What is still standing in our way? What do we have to rid ourselves of to be more full of God? The stories of the saints encourage us to be all God has created us to be. Pray to the saints in heaven and saints in purgatory to intercede for us.
Nobody is born a saint. The Saints in Heaven were people of appetites, longings, ambitions, vanities and eccentricities like us. The Saints walked the journey toward holiness, sometimes stumbling, sometimes falling, but always getting back up and moving on, resolving to do better- to be better.
Perhaps, this week look up in book or internet a saint to reflect on. Pray for the saint to intercede for you for some special grace that will bring you into closer relationship with Our Lord. You may also thank a living “saint” for being a model and inspiration for you and thank God for putting that person in your life!
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God, you are glorified in your saints.
Around your throne, the saints, our brothers and sisters, sing your praises forever.
Bring soon the Holy Souls in Purgatory into the glory of the Beatific Vision. All bore holy witness to you in their lives on earth. In their great company, and all the angels in heaven, we, too, praise your glory, now and forever. Amen.