Gospel Reflection 2019/2020

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

1 Nov 2020

[Matthew 5: 1-12]

Every 1^st of November, the Holy Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. We remember and we celebrate all those exemplary men and women of faith who have gone before us into Heaven. We do not only honour those who are officially recognized as saints by the Church, but we also honour those known only to God. As St John in the First Reading [Rv 7: 14] says, “These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and they have washed their robes white again in the Blood of the Lamb.”

As we celebrate this Solemnity, we the Church on earth seek intercessions and inspirations of the Church in Heaven so that we too can fulfill our vocation to be saints. Yes, everyone of us, you and me, are called to be saints – we are all called to holiness in today’s world.

It is near to impossible to strive for holiness as the world constantly pushes us towards another way of living. However, in the midst of the noises of this world is the clear and unambiguous voice of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to, each in our own way, do what Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount – the Beatitudes. To be holy, we must not be conformed to this world [Rm 12: 2]. To be holy, we must heed the voice of our Lord.

Here in the Gospel reading of the Sermon on the Mount, the word ‘happy’ or ‘blessed’ is the synonym for ‘holy’. And Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation “Rejoice and be Glad” (Gaudete et Exsultate), has these to say:

(1) Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Being poor at heart, being indifferent (not attached, not clinging or not addicted) to all created things, and being dependent on God and His Word: that is holiness.

(2) Blessed are the MEEK, for they will inherit the earth. Jesus says, “Learn from me; for I am gentle and humble of heart.” [Mt 11: 29]. Meekness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit [c.f. Ga 5: 23]. St Thérèse of Lisieux tells us that perfect charity consists of putting up with others’ mistakes, and not being scandalized by their faults. Reacting with meekness and humility: that is holiness.

(3) Blessed are those who MOURN, for they shall be comforted. The world has no desire to mourn; it disregards painful situations, covers them up, hides them or flees from them. But we are called by our Lord to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him [Mt 16: 24]. We must be unafraid to embrace our own sufferings and to share the sufferings of others. Knowing how to suffer with and mourn with others: that is holiness.

(4) Blessed are those who HUNGER AND THIRST FOR JUSTICE, for they will be filled. Seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow [Is 1: 17]: that is holiness.

(5) Blessed are the MERCIFUL, for they will receive mercy. Mercy has two aspects. It involves giving, helping and serving others in need, but it also includes forgiveness and understanding. Giving and forgiving with mercy, seeing and acting with mercy: that is holiness.

(6) Blessed are the PURE IN HEART, for they will see God. A heart that loves God and neighbours, genuinely and not merely in words, is a pure heart; it can see God ‘face to face’: that is holiness.

(7) Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they will be called children of God. Many times, we ourselves have become the cause of conflict and misunderstanding, the source of division, dissention and discord in our family, in our workplace, on social media and even in the church. We spread rumours, fake news, gossips and negativities. Christ’s peace must be in us so that we can sow peace in the world around us: that is holiness.

(8) Blessed are those who are PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE, for theirs is the kingdom of God. The world is hostile, and will always be hostile, towards Christ and His Holy Church because the teaching of Christ goes against the flow of this world. Jesus has already told us that, “the world has hated Me before it hated you.” [Jn 15: 18] Persecutions are not just reality of the past, for today we are still experiencing persecutions in various forms and at various degrees. Just few days ago on 29 Oct 2020, three Catholics were killed brutally in a terrorist attack in the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice in France. Accepting the path of the Gospel, even though it may cause us problems or cost us our very life: that is holiness.

As Christians, we are not called to be rich, famous or glamourous, but we are all called to be saints. We must remember that holiness is a gift from God – not something we can achieve on our own. Only with God’s Holy Spirit, can we be empowered to live the Beatitudes and grow in holiness.

Let our fervent prayer be:

“Lord Jesus Christ, teach me to be holy as You are holy!”