Happy All Saints’ Day!
This past weekend, I had the privilege of leading a retreat for the deacons and their wives from the Catholic Diocese of Fresno. We enjoyed the peaceful beauty of Three Rivers, California, close to nature, and immersed in deep reflection. It was a special prayer time, heartfelt talks, healing, and warm fellowship. But what touched me most were the people themselves—each person longing to grow in holiness and wanting to become a saint. Even though I was the retreat moderator, I learned so much from their stories of faith and courage.
I heard powerful stories of joy, pain, and a deep desire to love God amidst them all. With true sincerity, each person shared how much they want to be close to God and live with faith, even in everyday moments. Their passion to follow Christ reminded me of the beauty and strength we find in faith—a strength that changes us and gives us hope, even in life’s toughest times.
The Great Multitude of Saints
As I prayed on the readings for All Saints’ Day, a passage from the Book of Revelation stood out to me—Revelation 7:9-12. Here, we see a “great crowd” from every tribe, language, and nation worshiping the Lord in a heavenly scene. They are dressed in white robes and hold palm branches, signs of victory and peace. The white robes show the purity of those reborn in Christ, and the palms show victory through the cross.
This vision reveals a diverse multitude of saints, a global community that transcends all boundaries. Some come from Asia, where the struggle for sustenance is a daily battle. Others come from Eastern Europe and the Middle East, regions scarred by the ravages of war. There are those from Africa, where hardship is a constant companion, and North America, where cultural clashes often lead to doubt. People from South America and Oceania also join this crowd, for this holy invitation knows no bounds of tribe, language, or race.
Saints come from every situation and place, showing that God’s grace reaches everyone, everywhere. We, too, in hope are part of this beautiful and diverse crowd.
These saints stand before God’s throne, not out of fear, but in love and awe. They stand in bold praise as God’s chosen ones, his beloved children. As Saint John reminds us: “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). To be a saint is to accept this heavenly gift and to live as God’s child. It is to be whole and complete in the Lord, through his abundant grace.
Becoming Light in the Darkness
The blessings Jesus speaks of in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) shine through those who, purified in Christ, find strength in him “who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13). To emphasize, God’s call to sainthood isn’t just for a few; it’s for everyone, no matter where we are in life. Saints appear through acts of love, faith, hope, courage, and resilience. They shine as a light for others, even in the darkest moments. We, too, can be a light in this world, no matter our situation.
When we shine the light through our love, God shines through us. We become beacons for future saints, too.
Are we ready to be saints in our everyday lives? Can we embody love in a world often consumed by hate and purity amidst moral decay? How about we bring joy to those mired in sadness, and offer hope to those struggling to see the light? Let’s accept this call to be the light this hurting world desperately needs.
In conclusion, holiness isn’t about perfection; it’s about choosing love and trusting in Christ to lead us. Let’s walk this path, knowing that, with Christ, we can do all things. We also have loyal companions, the saints in heaven, cheering us on from heaven. They say to us when we struggle: Wake up, we’ve got your back. And they smile as we pick ourselves up, again and again, by grace, marching towards the promise of the “upward call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
[Readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a]
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