Sunday Reflections

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

First Reading:	Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Second Reading:	1 John 3:1-3
Gospel:	Matthew 5.1-12a

 

Following Those Who Have Gone Before Us

Our time here on earth can be viewed through the image of a marathon. The great prize for running the race well is eternity in heaven where we will be eternally united with God. On this Solemnity of All Saints Day we contemplate those holy men and women who have run the race before us and reached their heavenly destination.

St. Bernard says that “calling the saints to mind inspires, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company, so desirable in itself … In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints.” It is spiritually fruitful to contemplate the saints because it helps us keep the end goal of our marathon constantly at the forefront of our minds.

Moreover, the saints provide us an example of how to run the race as well. The saints always utilized the gifts that God gave them to serve Christ and His Church. They each did this in their own unique way dependant on their particular gifts and vocation. We too as stewards should follow their example and use our particular gifts to help us run the race well. St. Bernard also says that “we must above all seek the prayers of the saints. Thus, what is beyond our own powers to obtain
will be granted through their intercession.” Therefore let us seek the intercession of the saints and look to follow their example in order to deepen our resolve of being good stewards of Christ.

Summary

On this Solemnity of All Saints Day we contemplate those holy men and women who have gone before us and reached their heavenly destination. The saints always utilized the gifts that God gave them to serve Christ and His Church in their own unique way dependant on their particular gifts. As stewards we should seek their intercession and follow their example by using our own unique gifts to serve the Church.