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O ur virtuous lives – and the lives of the throngs of unnamed saints whose victory we celebrate today – are expressions of the saintliness we have all been given in Baptism. They lived it.—Robert P. Heaney

The Solemnity of All Saints

Revelations 7:2-4, 9-14

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

1 John 3:1-3

M atthew 5: 1-12a  Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. (2) And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: (3) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (5) "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (6) "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (7) "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (8) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (9) "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (10) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven

Meditation by Robert P. Heaney

“R obert, act your age!” My mother must have said that a thousand times. By giving us today’s feast the Church echoes Paul’s countless repetitions of the same point: “Christians, act what you are!”

Saints, that’s what we are. Paul insists on it. He calls his converts “saints” even when he is scolding them for outrageously unsaintly behavior.

We’re saints not by our own merit, but by God’s gift. We don’t become saints by leading virtuous lives after Baptism; we become saints by virtue of Baptism. Period. Our virtuous lives – and the lives of the throngs of unnamed saints whose victory we celebrate today – are expressions of the saintliness we have all been given in Baptism. They lived it.

As when I was a boy, I still today want things to go my way – and I protest, perhaps with more civility than I did then, when they don’t. I’m still focused on number one – me. But there’s that crowd of all the saints. They’re our cheering section, urging us to stay the course, to be faithful and true. If I listen, I can hear them saying, “Robert, give it up. Act your saintliness! You can do it!” # # #

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

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