Daily Catholic Lectio
Friday, 1 November 2024
XXX Week in Ordinary Time, Friday
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14. 1 John 3:1-3. Matthew 5:1-12a.
All Saints Day
Sainthood as the fruit of grace
“Sainthood or holiness is our continuous response to God’s grace; it is a gift from us to the giver who grants us grace.”
Today we celebrate all the saints. The Church is perceived in three stages: the pilgrim Church here on earth, the suffering Church in the purgatory; and the glorified Church in heaven. This is the feast of the glorified Church. These saints have obtained holiness by responding to God’s grace. All these saints may not make it to the canon, but they have made it to heaven.
The first reading from the Book of Revelation brings before us John’s vision of the glorified Church. John sees two groups of people in his vision: (a) those who are sealed; and (b) those in white robes. To be sealed means to be set apart or to be owned. John sees 144 thousand people. The number is symbolic, i.e., the multiplication of 12 by 12. The number shows the fully formed nation of Israel (cf. Rev 7:5-8). The second group of people in white robes washed their clothes in the blood of the Lamb, i.e., they sacrificed their lives for God. A white robe signifies sanctity and victory. They make it to the presence of God through their courageous acts of witnessing.
The second reading, from the First Letter of John, reflects on God’s love and the effects of His love. Choosing God led the community to suffering and persecution. However, what awaits them is glory. The people wait in hope for the day of sanctification.
The gospel reading, from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, contains the Beatitudes. Jesus teaches eight ways of attaining blessedness. The first four beatitudes connect the disciples to God, while the second four make a bond among the disciples. First, ‘poverty in spirit’ means realising our dependence on God; second, ‘mourning’ ‘means’ the state of undergoing difficulty or transformation; third, ‘the meek’ – the disposition to accept God’s works in our lives (cf. Ps 37:11); fourth, ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness’ – having the right relationship with God; fifth, ‘the merciful’ – to go beyond justice; sixth, ‘purity of heart’ – integrity and truth; seventh, ‘peace-making’ – seeking reconciliation and healing; and eighth, ‘persecuted for righteousness’ sake’ – being faithful till the end.
The passage ends with two imperatives: ‘rejoice and be glad’. Pope Francis titles his exhortation on holiness with these two words: ‘gaudete’, ‘exsultate’.
In the first reading, the people who receive respond to God’s grace through their witnessing lives. In the second reading, holiness is set as a goal to be achieved. The gospel reading places before us the paths of blessedness and commands us to rejoice and be glad.
The Psalmist exalts, “These are the people who seek your face!” (cf. Ps 24).
What are the challenges that the day poses to us?
(a) Sainthood is an invitation to all
‘If he and she, why can’t I?’, asked Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The saints did not fall from heaven; they walked ahead of us and reached there. As Saint John Mary Vianney says, “The saints did not begin well, but they all ended well.” Today, whatever our life stage or calling, let us strive for holiness or sanctity. Let us not alienate the saints or treat them as dispensers of favours, but let us imitate them in their virtues. Sainthood is conscious living.
(b) A little more! Something extra!
The journey to sainthood entails walking the extra mile, smiling an extra smile, and taking some extra care! Saints don’t stop saying, ‘This is enough!’ They go a bit further, even when it hurts. Saint Sebastian was extra courageous; Saint Anthony of Padua was extra patient; Saint Francis of Assisi gave up a little more; and Mother Teresa cared extra. The saints do a little more—in prayer, spirituality, sacrifice, love of God, denial, and love of neighbour. The journey begins with baby steps.
(c) What we become makes us more valuable!
Iron is of little value, but when it becomes the tungsten leaf that we use in electric bulbs, it goes up in value. The process entails a lot of pain. Anything that is valuable must undergo transformation. Sainthood involves transformation.
“Sainthood or holiness is our continuous response to God’s grace; it is a gift from us to the giver who grants us grace.”
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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