"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us, and persevere in the running the race that lies before us." - Hebrews 12:1
When the leaves change hue and the pumpkins abound, Catholics know that it will soon be November 1st, the day the Church celebrates all those tested and faithful men and women who have gone before us, the countless souls who "have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb." - Revelation 7:9
These are the everyday people, those recognized officially by the Church as Saints and those countless people who have not been officially recognized but are known by God to have loved Him and served Him during their earthly lives. Coming from all walks of life, societal position, nationality and race, they lived lives of faith, hope and charity in spite of personal circumstances, sinfulness and human weakness.
In our culture, we have extolled the accomplishments of those who succeed in the things of man. We have the business heroes such as Carnegie, Ford, Gates; the sports heroes like Thorpe, Ruth and Jordan; the heroes of music such as Mozart, Presley and Pavarotti; the heroes of the arts such as Michaelangelo, Picasso and Max; the heroes of innovation, such as Carver, Edison and Gates; the heroes of adventure such as Earhardt, Roosevelt (Teddy) and Branson; the heroes of liberty, such as Jefferson, Anthony and Parks. The list goes on and on and it is right and good that we admire such accomplishment, for in doing so, we ultimately give praise to God for it is from Him that these abilities are granted. We also recognize these men and women for using these gifts so effectively and in doing so have brought joy and inspired generations.
Yet, achievements in the things of this world and those who achieved them will, in time, be forgotten and fade away, for all things of this world are passing away.
The saints whom we honor on the great Feast of All Saints, though many have been successful in the things of this world, excelled in the lasting things, the things of God. And what are those things of God?
Here are some ideas given to us by Jesus Himself:
"Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand."
"Go and sin no more."
"Your faith has saved you!"
"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."
"Anyone who wishes to follow me must deny himself, pick up his cross daily and come after me."
"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and these things will be given to you."
"I desire mercy not sacrifice."
The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapters 6 & 7 detail the life of the disciple, the pathway of the saint. As the Baltimore Catechism tells us, God made us to "know, love and serve Him in this life so that we can be happy with Him in Heaven." That means that everyone of us has been created by God to become saints. Not sure what you are doing here? Let me say it again: Our purpose, yours and mine, in this life is to be saint. A saintly woman of our times, Mother Angelica, advised us, "We are all called to be great saints. Don't miss the opportunity!"
I know, I know...this all seems very highfalutin' and most difficult to attain...yet, if God made us to be so, well then it is something that must be possible for He is a loving God and wants our ultimate happiness and fullness of being. As Jesus tells us, "Nothing is impossible for God."
I think many of us, both those who are in the Church and those who are not, are confused about being a disciple, a follower, a lover of Jesus Christ (aka a saint). We think that we have to become someone else, that we have to walk around being miserable, not smiling, that we can't eat or smile or laugh. I know when considering the Saints, I have often felt discouraged because I am not like them, at least the ones I have read about. However, I must remember that God Himself created me and is well-aware of everything I think and do, even before I am! Don't believe me? Read Psalm 138 (139 in non-Douay Rheims Bibles). He knows the gifts and abilities He has given me. He knows of the shortcomings and temptations that are mine, all mine. He knows my temperament. He even knows that I don't like lima beans and eggplant! He KNOWS... and so He does not expect me to be Teresa or Francis or Anthony or Joan. He wants me to be me, but as He created me to be - free, living as a child of God!! As St. Irenaeus stated, "The glory of God is man full alive and the life of man is the vision of God."
I think we often look at the life of the faithful Christian in the wrong way. It isn't about being bogged down and punished, all sad and miserable. As St. Teresa of Avila prayed, "God save us from sour-faced saints!" Rather, it is about being free - free from the weight of my own sinfulness, free from self-absorption, free from vain and empty desires that will not bring me lasting happiness, free from the opinions of fickle mankind, free from my own fears, free from the hurts others have caused, free from the desire to hurt others or seek revenge, free from believing that my worth as a human being is based upon how much money I have or how many letters I have after my name, free from all those things that trouble my mind and prevent me from living and loving as He created me to do!
The life of the saint, the path of discipleship, is about turning away from (repenting) the things that are heavy and burdensome (sin and disordered desires) and turning towards Life Itself: Jesus Christ, He Who came to set us free from our sins so that we may be like Him, to have fullness of life, to live in the Kingdom of God and to share in His Life! No longer living "according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" which is the giver of life and peace, we are children of God, thereby heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we are willing to follow Him for love of Him.
The life of the saint is not a walk in the park. Jesus never promised us a rose garden.
For, though we are redeemed by Christ, we are still living here in this broken world and suffer the effects of sin..."all of creation is groaning in labor pains even until now...and we await the redemption of our bodies." - Romans 8:22, 23. There will still be labor, much labor, for the one who desires life with God. Yet, this labor will not be for things that will pass away, but rather, in cooperation with Jesus, for our own salvation and that of the world, so that we will be united with Him here in spirit and, after this life, in Heaven eternally: to see the Face of God and dwell with Him forever! While Jesus is the Redeemer, in His incredible Love He desires that we share, take part in His Plan for our salvation. He doesn't need our help, but wants us to have a share in His joy. A good way to help explain this is as follows: Say a father has a heavy cart to push. His child asks if he can help. Now, Dad does not need his help...he is Dad, after all. He's strong and he's got this, but he knows and loves his child; that in "helping" Dad push the cart, this will strengthen the child's character, sense of self-worth, give him a sense of accomplishment and self-sacrifice and nourish the bond of love between the two. Well, if we who are wicked know how to give good things to those we love, how much more our Father in Heaven, who alone is good, will give to us!
People work long back-breaking hours to attain the goods of this earth. Now, there is nothing wrong with using one's abilities and earning a good living. This is admirable, but we must remember that trophies tarnish, monuments crumble, records are broken, memories fade and operating systems break down. To place our life's worth and all of our time and energy into the attainment of life's pleasures will only bring temporary gratification for that is the way of this world. Nothing lasts and we are doomed a life of frustration, constant striving and unrest and we say to ourselves, "is that all there is" if that is where our hearts lie.
The Saints we honor on All Saints Day knew this and they based their lives upon it. They did not work to attain earthly accomplishments, but in their everyday lives, whether a housewife or a King, they "sought the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" for the love of God, for the good of others and for the hope of Heaven. They did not do this alone, but rather by placing their burdens upon the Lord as He so gently commanded: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, my burden light."- Matthew11:28-30. In doing so, they faced challenges great and small, seen and unseen, overcoming themselves and the opposition of the "world and the flesh." Many suffered terrible martyrdom, but most suffered the everyday disappointments and hurts that we can all relate to in our own lives.
We are each called according to the Plan God has for each one of our lives. "For I know well the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not your woe, so that you may have a future of hope." Jeremiah 29:11 The Saints, in trusting the Lord, knew that "all things work for the good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
This good is ultimately to share in the Life of God, both in part while here on Earth and then, in its fullness in Heaven. "At present, we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face." - 1 Corinthians 13:12
As in Heaven as on Earth, the saint will receive recognition of his striving love. Not a trophy or medal, but a new name inscribed in white stone chosen and known only by God (see Revelation 2:17).
But even more so, he will receive the ultimate crown of victory: eternal life with God in Heaven where "God Himself will always be with them (His people). He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order and passed away." - Revelation 21:3-4
All the Saints in Heaven, thank you for your witness and example. for you are the heroes of eternity. Pray for us that we may follow the path that our Lord has chosen for us to come to know, love and serve Him in this life so as to be happy with Him forever in the next. Pray for the Exultation of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you. Save souls.
St. Laura, pray for us.
St. Ann, pray for us.
St. Teresa, pray for us.
St. Mary Magdelene, pray for us.
All you Saints in Heaven, pray for us.
Now, for your enjoyment, a little Louis Armstrong and his band.....
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