💖 HOMILY - NOVEMBER 1 💖

THE SOLEMNLY OF ALL SAINTS

First Reading - Revelation 7:2-14

Second Reading - 1 John 3:1-3

Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12

Today's feast of All Saints reminds us of our potential for holiness, a call that is within reach for each of us. Like the story of the traveling artist who saw not only the disheveled man before him but also the person he could become, God sees beyond our flaws and failings to the saintly image He has designed us to be. The artist’s words to the man, “But that’s the man you could be,” echo the promise that with God’s grace, we too can be transformed into people of love, compassion, and holiness.

In the first reading from Revelation, we glimpse a vision of Heaven—a multitude of saints from every nation, all united in worship before God. It is a reminder that sainthood is not reserved for a select few but is a call extended to all of us. God invites each one of us to join that innumerable assembly of holy ones. The journey to holiness, as Jesus outlines in the Beatitudes, involves walking a narrow path that challenges us but ultimately brings us closer to God and to the person we are meant to be.

The Beatitudes of the gospel are like signposts on this path to holiness. They invite us to embrace values that may seem countercultural but are vital for the Kingdom of God. Poverty of spirit teaches us to rely on God; mourning helps us grow in compassion for others; meekness calls us to humility and patience; and hunger for justice urges us to seek what is right for all. Each Beatitude is an invitation to live in a way that honors God and deepens our relationships with those around us.

In the second reading, St. John reminds us that we are not just followers of Christ—we are His beloved children. As God’s children, we share in His love and are empowered to become more like Him. The saints were not perfect from the start; they were ordinary people who made extraordinary choices by responding to God’s love and living in ways that reflected His mercy and goodness. Saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Teresa of Calcutta have shown us that sanctity is achievable by nurturing a prayerful relationship with God, by performing every action with love, and by serving others with humility.

Dear friends, today we are invited to accept the challenge of becoming saints. Jesus calls us to “be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). As St. Augustine once asked himself, "If he and she can become saints, why can't I?" We may have weaknesses, we may face setbacks, but God's grace makes all things possible. We are called not only to admire the saints but to follow their example, allowing God’s love to shape our lives and choices.

May we take up this challenge and strive to live out the Beatitudes. Let us ask for the courage to seek holiness in our daily lives, to see every action as an opportunity to glorify God, and to let love be our guide. May the saints inspire us, and may we one day join them in that great multitude, praising God together in His eternal Kingdom.