Nov. 1, 2017: Solemnity of All Saints
Nov. 1, 2017: Solemnity of All Saints
Click to hear Audio Homily
When we think of a saint, we picture someone who is so perfect, impeccable, and sinless. Pope John XXIII, a man who was declared a saint in 2014 along with Pope John Paul II, told this story. Visiting a pediatric hospital, he asked a boy who was a patient what he wanted to be when he grew up. The boy replied that he wanted to be either a policeman or a pope. Then John XXIII replied, "I would go in for the police if I were you. Anyone can become a pope, look at me!" Being able to laugh at themselves is one of the hallmarks of a saint. St. John XXIII didn’t take himself too seriously, and this reflected his humble regard for himself before God.
Our Lord said in the Gospel today, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven...blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” When we look at whom Jesus chose to be his apostles and disciples, we realize that he chose disciples who had flaws. Jesus preferred the lowly, those who recognized their poverty and powerlessness. Just as a doctor comes to treat the sick, Jesus ministered to sinners such as the adulterous woman, a cheating tax collector, the good thief, and even us. He used parables of the lost coin, the search for stray sheep, and the prodigal son to reveal his mercy. We can be at our worst, yet Jesus regards such sinners like us with tender care. He lavishes his love and forgiveness on those who feel that they’ve failed God and others. His forgiveness wipes away our guilt and sets us on a new path of holiness.
St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the greatest saints of our Church said, “There is no saint without a past; and there is no sinner without a future.” St. Augustine experienced Jesus’ tender love and mercy, and he was transformed. St. Augustine is a great example of how Jesus does not look at our past, but rather opens us to a new future. St. Therese of Lisieux once said, “How happy I am to find myself imperfect and so much in need of the good Gods mercy at my time of death.”
What is our obstacle to becoming a saint? Our lack of trust in God. St. Monica prayed and sacrificed for her son St. Augustine for over 30 year hoping that God’s grace would touch her son and transform him. Our transformation is not overnight; rather it takes a lifetime. Therefore, hope and patience are virtues that we need to have on this journey of becoming a saint. Another virtue we need is our desire to know Him, love Him, and serve Him. For a long time, St. Augustine believed that the restless desires he felt inside was for the beautiful things of the world. The pivotal moment came when he realized that the restless desire within him wa really for God. St. Augustine said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Do we feel a restless desire within?
Our journey to sainthood is unique, therefore, we should respect and reverence where each person is in their own journey. Just as we should be hopeful and patient with ourselves, we need to do the same for others. Mother Teresa said to her sisters, “Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints.”
Let us emulate the saints and strive to be sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
Click to hear Audio Homily
When we think of a saint, we picture someone who is so perfect, impeccable, and sinless. Pope John XXIII, a man who was declared a saint in 2014 along with Pope John Paul II, told this story. Visiting a pediatric hospital, he asked a boy who was a patient what he wanted to be when he grew up. The boy replied that he wanted to be either a policeman or a pope. Then John XXIII replied, "I would go in for the police if I were you. Anyone can become a pope, look at me!" Being able to laugh at themselves is one of the hallmarks of a saint. St. John XXIII didn’t take himself too seriously, and this reflected his humble regard for himself before God.
St. Augustine of Hippo, one of the greatest saints of our Church said, “There is no saint without a past; and there is no sinner without a future.” St. Augustine experienced Jesus’ tender love and mercy, and he was transformed. St. Augustine is a great example of how Jesus does not look at our past, but rather opens us to a new future. St. Therese of Lisieux once said, “How happy I am to find myself imperfect and so much in need of the good Gods mercy at my time of death.”
What is our obstacle to becoming a saint? Our lack of trust in God. St. Monica prayed and sacrificed for her son St. Augustine for over 30 year hoping that God’s grace would touch her son and transform him. Our transformation is not overnight; rather it takes a lifetime. Therefore, hope and patience are virtues that we need to have on this journey of becoming a saint. Another virtue we need is our desire to know Him, love Him, and serve Him. For a long time, St. Augustine believed that the restless desires he felt inside was for the beautiful things of the world. The pivotal moment came when he realized that the restless desire within him wa really for God. St. Augustine said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Do we feel a restless desire within?
Our journey to sainthood is unique, therefore, we should respect and reverence where each person is in their own journey. Just as we should be hopeful and patient with ourselves, we need to do the same for others. Mother Teresa said to her sisters, “Keep in mind that our community is not composed of those who are already saints, but of those who are trying to become saints.”
Let us emulate the saints and strive to be sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
