We are called to be saints.

Rev 7:2-4.9-14; Psalm: 23; 1Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a

All Saints’ Day is a solemn occasion in the liturgical calendar when believers honor and remember all the saints, known and unknown, who have gone before us. It is a day to reflect on the lives of these holy men and women and to consider how we might emulate their examples of faith, love, and service. One of the most well-known passages of scripture that is often associated with All Saints’ Day is the Beatitudes, found in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 1-12a.

In these verses, Jesus delivers a series of blessings known as the Beatitudes. He proclaims that those who are poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness’s sake are blessed. These words offer a powerful reminder of the values and virtues that are cherished in the kingdom of God. They challenge us to reflect on our own attitudes and actions and to strive for the kind of righteousness and holiness that characterizes the saints.

On All Saints Day, we are invited to reflect on how we can embody these virtues in our own lives. We are called to examine our hearts and minds and to seek God’s grace to help us cultivate humility, mercy, and purity of heart. We are challenged to be peacemakers in a world that is often torn apart by conflict and division. And we are reminded that as followers of Christ, we may face persecution and suffering for the sake of righteousness, but that our reward will be great in heaven.

As we remember the saints who have gone before us, we are encouraged to learn from their examples of faith and devotion. We can draw strength from their courage and perseverance in the face of hardship and adversity. We can seek inspiration from their selfless love and service to others. And we can find hope in their witness to the power and presence of God in their lives.

The Beatitudes remind us that the path to true blessedness lies not in wealth, power, or success, but in humility, compassion, and righteousness. They challenge us to reexamine our priorities and values and to seek the things that truly matter in the eyes of God. As we reflect on these words on All Saints’ Day, we are called to strive for a deeper union with Christ and a more profound commitment to his kingdom.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus promises that those who embody these virtues will be blessed and will inherit the kingdom of heaven. As we celebrate All Saints Day, we are reminded that we are called to be saints in our own time and place, living out the values and virtues of the kingdom of God here on earth. May we be inspired by the examples of the saints who have gone before us, and may we strive to follow in their footsteps, seeking to bring God’s love and mercy to a world in need.