First Reading - Apocalypse 7:2-4,9-14
Second Reading - 1 John 3:1-3
Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12a
In the first reading from the Book of Revelation, John shares a vision of heaven filled with a “great multitude, impossible to count, from every nation, race, people, and language.” They stand before the throne of God, clothed in white robes, symbols of purity and victory, their lives marked by perseverance and faithfulness. These are not perfect people who never suffered; they are those “who have come through the great tribulation.” They faced trials, temptations, and hardships, yet they remained steadfast, trusting in God’s mercy. Their triumph was not through their strength but through God’s grace.
The second reading from the First Letter of John reminds us of the foundation of that grace: our identity as children of God. “See what love the Father has lavished on us,” John writes, “that we should be called children of God—and that is what we are.” This is the beginning of sainthood—not in extraordinary deeds, but in living daily as sons and daughters of a loving Father. Holiness begins in belonging. It grows when we allow God’s love to shape our thoughts, desires, and actions, day after day.
And in the Gospel, Jesus gives us the blueprint for holiness: the Beatitudes. They are not simply moral teachings; they are a portrait of Christ Himself and of every person who strives to live like Him. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” speaks of humility. “Blessed are the meek” calls for gentleness. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” invites a passion for justice and truth. The Beatitudes turn the world’s logic upside down—showing that happiness is not found in wealth, power, or comfort, but in love, mercy, purity, and peace.
Today’s feast reminds us that saints were ordinary people who lived extraordinary love. They were teachers, farmers, mothers, laborers, and even sinners who turned their hearts back to God. What made them holy was not a life without mistakes, but a heart that never stopped seeking God and serving others.
So, what about us? We, too, are called to holiness—to live our ordinary days with extraordinary faith. To be poor in spirit in a world obsessed with self. To show mercy in times of anger. To bring peace in moments of conflict. To stay faithful in seasons of difficulty. The saints cheer us on not from a distance, but as fellow pilgrims who remind us that holiness is possible for all who love.
Let us, then, lift our eyes to heaven and our hearts to action. The path of holiness is not far away—it begins wherever we are, with every act of kindness, every choice to forgive, every effort to love. May the example of the saints inspire us to live the Beatitudes with courage and joy until, one day, we join that great multitude before God’s throne, clothed in His grace and radiant with His glory.
0 Comments