Sunday, November 1, 2026

 SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS, November 1, 2026

(Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12)

To almost everyone, the Book of Revelation seems strange. Perhaps we have tried to read it without much satisfaction. If we think of it as a prophecy of the final war against weird beasts, we should reconsider its purpose. The title itself provides a key to its true meaning. The word "Revelation" comes from two Latin words: re, meaning "again," and velare, meaning "to cover" or “to veil.”  Revelation aims to pull back the veil that covers the truth of Jesus Christ.

Revelation was written during the persecution of Christians at the end of the first century. Believers were martyred for not worshipping the emperor. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the book seeks to encourage believers to resist persecution and worship Jesus Christ as Lord. It reveals the liturgy of heaven in which men and women participate when they attend Mass.

The evidence for this is compelling, even if subtle. It opens on the Lord's Day, Sunday, the day we attend Mass. John, the narrator, says: “…grace and peace from him who is, and who was, and who is to come,” as the priest greets us at the beginning of every Mass. Then John recites the sins of the seven churches of Asia Minor as the penitential act. Afterward, the priest is taken to heaven where he sees a book, written on both sides, but sealed. Only the Lamb, who is Christ, can open it. The book contains the biblical readings for Mass, which speak of the same Christ.

During the heavenly liturgy, the refrain, “Holy, holy, holy…” is heard, just as at Mass. Today's first reading describes the participants in the liturgy. We can think of the 144,000 men and women as the saints declared by the Church. We can think of the other, much larger group as the unknown saints -- perhaps our own parents and grandparents -- who lived with love for both God and neighbor.

There are various other parallels between our Mass and the liturgy revealed to John in heaven, but we will mention only one more now. Toward the end of the book, an angel declares, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” These are almost the same words the priest pronounces before Communion at Mass.

Revelation reveals the nature of the Mass. Much more than a simple gathering of believers, the Mass is our participation in the heavenly Eucharist. With the elect throughout the ages, we participate in the eternal worship of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We may not be eager to participate in an eternal liturgy, finding liturgies tedious. (It is said that the entrance procession alone at the Mass for the beatification of Archbishop Sheen took forty-five minutes!) However, the liturgy of the Lamb's Supper is guaranteed not to bore anyone blessed to attend.

First, it will take place in eternity where there is no passage of time. We can think of eternity this way: In an English song, the singer says, "I could have danced all night." Time has vanished for her. Whether it is for the love of her partner, for the dancing, or for both, she feels only joy. That is something like what eternity must feel. Second, the liturgy cannot be boring because we will be captivated by whom we will see. Today, many wait for hours to see the pope or the president; in the heavenly liturgy, we will see Jesus and his mother, Mary! We will also see our dear companions who have gone before us into the night of death. We won't be bored at all.

We would like to ask how might we be chosen for the heavenly liturgy? It is easy to point the way, although it will not be achieved without effort. To participate in God's great feast, we must live the Beatitudes of the Gospel today. We must trust in God like the humble poor, hunger and thirst to live righteously, and show compassion for those in need.

Friday, November 1, 2024

Solemnity of All Saints

Revelations 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a

Today we celebrate all holy men and women who enjoy the blessings of eternal life.  The majority of declared saints are probably priests and religious.  However, the company of saints includes people of different professions, nations, and social classes.  Let us focus today on saints who were doctors or healers.

There is biblical evidence that Luke, the author of the third gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, was a physician.  In many cities today the medical profession gathers for the Eucharist on October 18, the feast day of Saint Luke.

Not much is known for certain of Saints Cosmas and Damian except that they were martyred in Syria in the early fourth century.  According to one legend they were physicians who never accepted fees for their healing services.  They are also considered the patrons of doctors.

In contrast to Cosmas and Damian, much is known of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, a twentieth century Italian pediatrician, wife, and mother.  During her fourth pregnancy, she was diagnosed with fibroma on her uterus.  Her doctors gave her three choices: abortion, removal of the uterus, or removal of the fibroma.  She opted for the last choice to give her child the best chance of survival.  The child was born, but the mother died of complications a week later.

Saint Martin de Porres did not attend medical school, but he was knowledgeable of medicinal healings with plants and herbs.  He was also considered a surgeon by reason of having apprenticed with a barber in colonial Peru.  He attended many of Lima’s sick and injured people as well as the friars of the Dominican priory where he lived.

All saints are healers in a way.  They guide us to overcome or avoid spiritual injury as they pray for our integral well-being.

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelations 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

Social analysts seem to agree that this is a post-Christian age.  Fewer people, percentagewise at least, attend religious services.  Many Catholics have abandoned Church teaching such as the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  Although there is a vague sense of an afterlife, most people do not accept the Church as the means to attain it.  In this atmosphere we can look to the saints for testimony in favor of practicing our Catholic faith.

The saints include men and women from the full range of nations and careers.  Some were geniuses like Augustine of Hippo who knew carnal desire as much as anyone yet accepted the grace of conversion.  Others were farmers like Blessed Franz Jägerstätter who defied the Nazi regime out of duty to God who spoke to him through his conscience. Many, of course, were women like Catherine of Siena who commanded an army of followers in a zealous apostolic life. 

We must be wary of a herd mentality which impels us to act like the popular majority.  Saints provide reasons to calm our doubts and models to live our lives.  They also pray for us upon request that we might find happiness beginning now and never ending.

Monday, November 1, 2021

 

THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

(Revelation 7: 2-4.9-14; I John 3: 1-3; Matthew 5: 1-12)

We can understand the Solemnity of All Saints in different ways.  Some will see it as a catch-all.  There have been approximately ten thousand people recognized by the Church as saints.  Only a couple hundred of these are celebrated during the liturgical year.  All Saints Day provides an opportunity to remember the rest of them in a general way.

Others understand today’s feast as a way to think of the saintly persons that they have known who will never have a cause for sainthood.  They think of their grandparents who prayed everyday, thought well of everyone, and never failed to help another person in need.  It seems more appropriate to remember this kind of person on All Saints Day than on All Souls Day.

Finally, we can think of All Saints Day to celebrate the great diversity of saints of the Church.  There are saints from every continent, race, socio-economic status, and most every nation.  The Church has completed the mandate of Christ at the end of Matthew’s gospel to “make disciples of all nations.”  Today we celebrate those Asians and Africans, Irish and Ethiopians, doctors and streetsweepers who have given testimony to the same Christ by their exemplary virtue.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

 THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS, November 1, 2020

(Revelation 7: 2-4.9-14; I John 3: 1-3; Matthew 5: 1-12)

Twelve years ago, an American writer published an essay about his relative, an Italian priest. The author was almost ecstatic that his grandfather's cousin was named as a saint of the Church. He said that knowing that his cousin was a saint has made him a better man. He credited Pope St. John Paul II with facilitating the canonization of many saints like his cousin. In fact, this pope canonized more people as saints than all of his predecessors combined.

Saint John Paul II believed that the people need saints as models for their lives. He recognized how the Second Vatican Council called all the faithful of the church to holiness. Therefore, he exhorted people not to think of the saints as "unusual heroes" of holiness. He said that there are many paths to holiness so that every person can achieve it.

On today’s feast we celebrate all the men and women who have passed through these roads at the same time accessible and not much taken. We take into account canonized saints like Saint Gaetano Catanoso, the Italian priest and cousin of the American author. We also remember Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, a French couple and parents of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus. Although they are canonized, we may not find their names on our parish calendars.

We also celebrate today many saints that Rome not even knows. They are the people who have walked their paths to holiness in relative obscurity. Possibly all of us have known at least one person who if he was not helping others, was praying for them. He may be the man who stopped by the parish every day to do the maintenance without asking for anything in return. He was such a trustworthy person that everyone from the pastor to the newest parishioners saw him as a friend. Or it may be the judge who comes to the noon mass from his courtroom in which he is known as a wise and just arbiter.

The Beatitudes trace eight paths to holiness. They all have the undertone of humility. The saint does not insist on having his way but always submits to the will of God. The poor in spirit do not seek wealth or fame but look to God as their reward. Those who hunger and thirst for justice do not plot to obtain their well-being but rather strive to do what God expects of them. The pure in heart have no other motive other than the desire to do God's will. To be holy is to leave the race to be admired by others in order to give glory to God through acts of love.

We like to see children in costumes on Halloween, the vigil of All Saints' Day. Some wear the clothes of a queen. Others dress like cowboys or Goldilocks. The lazy appear may come as hobos. That’s all right too. All these characters and many others besides are welcomed among the saints as long as they submit to the will of God. Saints are those who have submitted to God’s will.

Friday, November 1, 2019

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelation 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

A distinguished attorney is asked, “Who is the most important person in the courtroom (to assure justice).”  Perhaps it is the judge who sees that due process is followed.  Or maybe it is the collective members of the jury who decide guilt or innocence.  Or possibly it is the defense lawyer who must investigate his client’s case and persuade the jury.  But the man after decades as prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney responds surprisingly.  He believes the most important person in a courtroom is a reliable witness.   Such a person’s truthfulness and conviction bring about justice.

We can define saints as reliable witnesses to Jesus.  Their faith, holiness, and integrity witness to the primacy of the gospel and the efficacy of his grace.  Their words and actions provide testimony that Jesus has risen to support his followers.

The Church has officially declared only seven thousand or so saints.  But this number hardly indicates all the people throughout Christianity who have lived the beatitudes.  Today we celebrate the millions of un-proclaimed saints.  Their number includes slaves and slave-owners, people of every continent and even of different religions.  All of us have known people whose words and actions gave reliable witness to Jesus.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelation 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

A distinguished attorney is asked, “Who is the most important person in the courtroom (to assure justice).”  Perhaps it is the judge who sees that that due process is followed.  Or maybe it is the collective members of the jury who make the final decision regarding innocence or guilt.  Or possibly it is the defense lawyer himself who must investigate his client’s case and persuade the jury with convincing evidence.  The man responds that after many decades practicing law as prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney, he believes that the most important person in a courtroom is a reliable witness.   Such a witness’s truthfulness and conviction become the determining factors in bringing about justice.

We can define saints as reliable witnesses to Jesus.  By relying on God, by striving after righteousness, by reconciling opponents, and by practicing all the beatitudes, saints witness to the primacy of Jesus’ message and the efficacy of his grace.  Their words and, more so, their actions provide testimony that Jesus has risen from the dead to actively support his followers.

The Church has officially declared only seven thousand or so saints.  But this number hardly indicates all the people throughout twenty centuries of Christianity who have lived the beatitudes.  Today we celebrate the millions of un-proclaimed saints who have given reliable witness to Jesus.  Their number includes an African-American slave who lived so graciously that the slave-owning family buried her in the family plot proudly claiming her as kin.  All of us have known people much better than ourselves who, we are sure, belong to the legion of reliable witnesses to Jesus. 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelation 7:2-4.9-14; 8 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

Yesterday's costume parties hint at today's feast. Just as people wore clothes of different nations and periods of history, so saints come from a variety of backgrounds. And just as regular people don the dress of the standouts of the ages, so they might become saints.

Blessed Pope John Paul II canonized more saints than all previous popes. He did not do it for exercise. Rather he wanted to give Catholics models to help them live holy lives. Individuals with distant relatives who were canonized have found special inspiration to struggle against evil inclinations. In examining the lives of the saints postmodern Christians will find examples of women and men who dealt successfully with questions and doubts similar to their own.

Still it is not easy to become a saint. We need not only models but divine grace to love as we ought. Fortunately the Holy Spirit has also come so that we might successfully take up the quest.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelation &:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

Mike is a simple, honest fellow. He never went to college but has been able to earn a comfortable living by working with unions. He sees himself as so fortunate that he wants to give back to others some of what God has bestowed on him. Unlike many with similar motivation Mike helps people anonymously; that is, he tries not to make a show of his generosity. Someday Mike may be among the people that we celebrate today, the Feast of All Saints.

In Matthew’s gospel, after Jesus calls “blessed” those who are poor and meek, yearn for justice, and suffer persecution, he tells his disciples that they should strive for holiness without calling attention to themselves. As if it were possible, they are not even to let their left hand know what their right hand is doing. Because many have followed Jesus’ admonition through the ages, the number of saints vastly exceeds the 10,000 or so that are on the Church’s books. Especially these anonymous ones are called upon today for assistance.

But, of course, invocation of the saints is only half our responsibility. We must imitate the saints’ holiness as well. Our “random acts of kindness” should also be “anonymous acts” as much as possible. When we live in this way, we will find ourselves not just pleasing God but also living in peace.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Solemnity of All Saints

(Revelation 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)

A distinguished defense attorney is asked, “Who is the most important person in the courtroom (to assure justice).” Perhaps it is the judge who sees that that due process is followed. Or maybe it is the collective members of the jury who adjudicate the case. Or possibly it is the trial lawyer who must persuade the jury of the client’s innocence. The attorney responds that after many decades practicing law as prosecutor, judge, and defense lawyer, he believes that the most important person in the courtroom is a reliable witness. Such a witness’s truthfulness and conviction become the determining factors in bringing about justice.

We can define saints as reliable witnesses to Jesus. By relying on God, by striving after righteousness, by reconciling opponents, by practicing all the beatitudes, saints witness to the primacy of Jesus’ message and the efficacy of his grace. Their words and, more so, their actions provide testimony that Jesus has risen from the day to actively support his followers.

The Church has officially declared only seven thousand or so saints. But this number hardly indicates all the people throughout twenty centuries of Christianity who have lived the beatitudes. Today we celebrate the millions of un-proclaimed saints who have given reliable witness to Jesus. Their number includes an African-American slave who lived so graciously that the slave-owning family buried her in the family plot proudly claiming her as kin. All of us have known people much better than ourselves who, we are sure, belong to the legion of reliable witnesses to Jesus.

Homilette for Thursday, November 1, 2007

You will postings for weekdays October 29 - November 1 below.

Solemnity of All Saints

(I John 3:1-3)

When the church celebrates saints like Andrew Kim of Korea or Paul Miki of Japan, I wonder if the feasts are relevant to most of the people at Mass where I live (in northern Mexico). I don’t think it is prejudice against Koreans and Japanese that drives my reservation. It seems more a question of the possibility of people in the West identifying with saints from a far-off culture. Today’s Feast of All Saints, however, indicates that my difficulty is really a near-sightedness of vision.

We rejoice today over how God has brought people of every culture together in an intimate union through Jesus Christ. With Koreans and Japanese as well as with Africans, Arabs, Indians, and Catholic Christians everywhere we share not only the same genetic structure but also the same core values and beliefs. More than that, we all consume the Eucharistic food and drink that transforms us into one body and one spirit. In the communion of local churches from the far corners of the earth the hope of global peace shines.

Some will say that the best peoples of the world can do is to tolerate one another. By our participation in the universal Church we say much more is possible. Although the day of global unity may be far off, in proclaiming “all saints” – that is the holy ones from every culture and time -- we dedicate ourselves to the realization of that end.