Saturday, October 31, 2015

HOMILY - Solemnity of All Saints (Year B) 2015

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. We honor and celebrate the lives of the saints: the great men and women who have gone before us and lived extra-ordinary Christian lives. We remember that we are in communion with these individuals – they stand ready and willing to intercede for us to our Heavenly Father. And, we remember that we are called to be saints, ourselves. Today’s readings give us a glimpse of what it means to be a saint. These readings remind us that our pursuit of a saintly life is what we were made to do, what will bring us the greatest joy, and yet much of it remains still a great mystery to us. Nonetheless, today we are reminded and hopefully inspired to live lives focused on things greater than possessions and stuff, our pain and frustrations, or the blink of time that consists of our time on this earth. (P) Today’s Gospel passage of the Beatitudes is the Gospel reading proclaimed at my marriage. I am reminded by these words, that as much as I am called to be a saint, by my marriage, I am also called to help my wife to be a saint. Hopefully like all couples, we want much from marriage: we want to be accepted unconditionally by each other, we want to be filled with love and happiness; we want a family. Ultimately, our purpose, our goal – what we want from marriage – is to help our spouse live a saintly life and to get our spouse into Heaven! So, the Beatitudes offer a wonderful examination of conscience for married couples on how they are doing on this goal. (And really this is for everyone, as we are all called to be saints and to a life of service towards others – some by marriage, others by a vocation to priestly or religious, some a single person in service to family, friends, strangers). So I invite you this week to get a copy of the Beatitudes and reflect over these words. • Jesus says: Blessed are the poor in spirit: o Not be consumed by possessions and wealth o But to have our life order to:  Have a need for God & Loving and serving others • Jesus says: Blessed are the meek: o Instead of being consumed by pride and selfishness; be selfLESS, giving of self with great humility completely and totally • Jesus says: Blessed are they who mourn: o Care and empathy for spouse o Allow others to mourn for you and to be comforted • Jesus says: Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: o Not so much a physical hunger and thirst, o But desire to love and be loved, our whole being is focused on the dignity and justice of others • Jesus says: Blessed are the merciful: o Mercy: to treat others better than they deserve; showing mercy towards • Jesus says: Blessed are the clean of heart: o Purity and chastity in marriage union and towards spouse • Jesus says: Blessed are the peacemakers: o Bring peace to the marriage and family; just not violence by also chaos, anxiety • Jesus says: Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake o Not that marriage should be a persecution, but that sometimes, even marriage we will need to stand up for what is right and just and true, even if that causes division o Even better that we can endure hardship and persecution together Remember Jesus’ promise for those who desire these beatitudes: comfort, satisfaction, mercy; we will be called children of God and the Kingdom of Heaven shall be ours! My friends, be inspired by this Feast to become the saints you are called be AND Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.