Children of God

 

Saints are people who "washed their clothes in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:2-14)—that is, they put the grace of their Baptism to daily use.  Saints are people whose main struggle in life was to live as "children of God" (1 John 3:1-3)—merciful, humble, forgiving, peacemakers.  Saints are people who lived the Beatitudes of the Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12).

Our lives as Christians are not necessarily lives of comfort, carelessness and happiness.  It’s actually the opposite, and our lives must be lived for those who mourn, in search of righteousness, with clean hearts and knowing it will be a struggle.  It’s in these things that we’re truly blessed and it’s in these things where we truly find our Lord.

Saints are people who suffered often, fell from grace sometimes, but always picked themselves up through genuine sorrow for sin. They’re the ones who talked to God as a friend, sought to put His Will first in their lives, and found their strength in the food of the Eucharist.  The saints lived free and joyful lives.  

Our problem is that the temptations for modern humanity are replete with every devious scheme that the devil can subtly place in our paths.  For us to become a member of that great number of saints, we must be sure that we're listening to—and living—the message of the Gospel and the recommendations of the Vicar of Christ, our pope.

This great feast of All Saints’ Day, and the feast of All Souls that will follow tomorrow—views the Church as one innumerable assembly of people united and graced by God’s love.  A people that includes those of us who live now in this world, who, in the words of the psalms, “long to see God’s face” (Psalm 24:1-6), and those who have gone before us and now see the ultimate source of all life and all joy “face to face.”  At a time of pandemic and much social distress and violence in our world, this feast reminds us of our dignity as daughters and sons of God, a cause for joy and hope.