Solemnity of All Saints

Rv 7:2-4, 9-14

1 Jn 3:1-3

Mt 5:1-12A

GROW: In journalism school, a professor admonished future reporters: “Show, don’t tell.” In other words, don’t start a story with a generality such as: “It was a nice day.” Instead, be specific: “The sun shone through the clouds and the air had a hint of the first snow.” This Sunday, we hear Jesus not only tell us, but show us through the poetic language of the beatitudes what holiness looks like. As if that weren’t enough, we celebrate All Saints’ Day, honoring those holy men and women (known and unknown) in heaven whose lives exemplified the beatitudes. Jesus and the saints remind us that we cannot do it alone; we need God’s help to live “blessed” lives. With God’s grace, we, too, can aspire to holiness and sainthood.

GO: In his apostolic letter on the call to holiness, Pope Francis reminds us that the beatitudes are not simply platitudes. “Let us allow his words to unsettle us, to challenge us and to demand a real change in the way we live,” he writes. “Otherwise, holiness will remain no more than an empty word.” (Gaudete et Exsultate 66) He points out that we cannot do it alone, but only with the help of the Holy Spirit, who can free us from those stumbling blocks that may hold us back. Strengthened through prayer and the Eucharist, the road to holiness begins by putting one step in front of another – whether that means reordering our priorities, being more patient with our children, friends, or spouse – or aspiring to be what Pope Francis calls the saints next door: “Those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence.” (GE 7)

REFLECT: Read the section on the beatitudes in Chapter 3 of Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis’ 2018 apostolic letter on the call to holiness. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us become the saints “next door” to those we encounter in our daily lives.