REFLECTION FOR TODAY
November 1, 2021
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:1-3.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. Today honor all the saints in heaven, not only those who are officially canonized, but also the countless other saints that we may not know by name. Today’s Solemnity is aimed at Praising God for completing the work of salvation in our brothers and sisters before us.; and to encourage us the militant church to persevere in faith no matter the temptation and trial.
Our gospel reference above forms part of Jesus’ sermon on the mountain, the beatitude, which lays out the path by which these Saints entered Heaven. While on earth, these great men and women lived lives that were poor in spirit. A life filled with a holy mourning, meekness, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, peace, purity of heart and even persecution. Each one of these Beatitudes concludes by stating the reward that those who lived these qualities obtains: Heaven, comfort, satisfaction, mercy, seeing God, being children of God and rewards beyond what we can imagine in God’s Kingdom.
The Beatitudes invite us to the heights of holiness. They are not for the faint of heart or for those living a lukewarm spiritual life. These Beatitudes present us with the pinnacle of holy living and challenge us to the core. But every effort put into living these Beatitudes are worth it here on earth and ultimately in Heaven.
As we reflect on the beatitude, it is important to know that we are all Saints in the making. No matter our different background and occupation; we are all called to be Saints. No matter our sins and short coming we can be saints. A Saint is not an individual without sin but the person who repent of his/her sins, struggles, and rises again to be in the state of grace by following the beatitude.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, we are called to remember our calling, who we are today and are called to be. We should not be discouraged, for the message from the saints in heaven for us is: “don’t be discouraged, remember we were just like you, weak and sinful people. Yet we were saved by God’s power and love. Keep up the struggle. We are here to give you a helping hand with our prayers. There is a great reward ready for you here”
Reflect, today, upon the beautiful truth that you are called to become a Saint. And the surest path to sainthood is the Beatitudes. Read them carefully. Meditate upon them and know that they reveal to you how God is calling you to live. If one of these Beatitudes stands out to you, then spend time focusing upon it. Work to internalize these graces, and God will work wonders in your life, one day making this solemnity within our Church a true celebration of your life well lived.
Lord, You reign now in Heaven and desire that Your glorious Kingdom be firmly established upon earth. Give me the grace I need to seek holiness with all my heart and to especially use Your revelation of the Beatitudes as the path by which I travel. I pray that I will become a true saint in this world and that You will use me to further Your Kingdom now and for eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.