All Saints

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12: 1-2

While the rest of the world (maybe even including you and me) is still feeling sick after gorging on piles of free candy collected from the doors of strangers from the night before, the Church is celebrating Masses in the honor of all those holy men and women who have lived the life of faith and are now enjoying the rewards of heaven.

Why?

           

Well, why does the Church even canonize people to Sainthood to begin with? If they’re in heaven, why do they need to be honored? Simply put, it’s not for them; it’s for us. We need to be reminded of two things: 1) we have big brothers and sisters in heaven who love us who are interceding for us and 2) we too, are called to become Saints. That’s right, you and me—all the baptized, are called to become Saints! And when we look at the lives of others who have done it, it should help inspire us and give us hope and motivation to be like them, because they were like Christ.

           

What’s really cool is that Saints come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. Saints were soldiers, priests, husbands, wives, kings, queens, poor people, great thinkers and simple-minded. They crossed the continents as missionaries or never left a convent. They lived to old age or died as teen-agers. They were farmers, professionals, martyrs or silently suffered interiorly for the sake of Christ. Some were even lawyers or politicians! Saints are Saints because they cooperated with grace. Some lived through extraordinary experiences, but most lived their daily lives with great love and passion for Jesus and His Church in the most ordinary of circumstances. They were filled with joy, they were filled with sorrow, they were in pain; they ate, slept and had conversations just like you and me.

           

So how can you become a Saint? Ask for the grace. Resign yourself to the will of God. Cast out into the deep. And do whatever you do in your daily life with great love and for the glory of God. If it wasn’t possible, then God would not call us to it. Trust in Jesus and live for Him in all you do. And one day you will be Saint.

Dear Jesus, I want to be a Saint. Please give me all the grace I need to become holy and to live as a witness for You among my peers and community. Help to live my ordinary life with extraordinary love. Amen.