Homily—All Saints Day

November 1, 2011  Cycle A

Revelations 7:2-4, 9-14                            Matthew 5:1-12

 We come together today to remember the Communion of Saints. However, saints are not confined necessarily to those who lived a long time ago and far away.  We have grown up with the tradition of men and women like Mary, the Stephens, the Benedicts, the Francises, the Catherines and the Teresas, but as we gather today we honor all the saints.  We remember all the blessed, all the faithful who are now with God.  We remember and give thanks for the saints who walked among us and who inspired us by their generosity of spirit and their persevering in hope. 

 Today’s feast celebrates the nameless as well as the well known who have faced the challenge and given witness to the Gospel.  Some have lived and died in dramatic circumstances.  Others have lived and died in simple anonymity.  Today is the feast of the husband who lovingly cared for his sick wife, the teacher who not just taught math or literature but inspired her students to become generous and compassionate young men and women.  It is also the feast of the volunteer who quietly dedicated many hours working at the soup kitchen or in parish ministry.  The life of each one of us has been touched by these “saints”, the “blessed” of the Gospel. 

 Today, as we listen to the beautiful Gospel story of the Beatitudes, we recognize that it is one filled with paradoxes.  The secular world around us does not understand but those who live and accept the person of Christ Jesus have learned a different value.  It is the value where life lived and blood shed for Christ brings the reward of life everlasting in God’s Kingdom.  James Walsh, a Maryknoll bishop, spent twenty years in a Chinese prison and he explained the sacrifice this way,

 Christianity is not our private way of salvation, it is a way of world salvation.  This makes it a sort of dynamite.  So when you send missionaries out to preach, it is well to get ready for some explosions. 

 The Gospel tells us that Jesus warned his followers to expect it and then said, “Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake”.  Some of Jesus’ followers die for their faith but all must live for it.  Sometimes the living sacrifices are greater than those that bring death. 

 Perhaps there is someone in your family or circle of friends who has given witness to their faith, oftentimes with anonymity.  They have lived, if you will, a bloodless martyrdom.  We remember those persons today and we give thanks for their witness, and we recommit our own selves to following the ways of Jesus.  Let’s give thanks to the saints who have graced our lives, who revealed to us the love of God in our very midst.  And we pray that one day they will welcome us into the dwelling place of God.

Amen.  Amen. Msgr. Tom Adrians, Pastor Christ the King