Saturday, October 31, 2009

Blessed be all the Saints and their day

Christ-SamaritanWomanatWell2-Living Today is a special celebration for our Church as we remember the many great people who have really distinguished themselves in their lives that now they are recognized as saints in our Faith Tradition.

In this regard, the Beatitudes are indeed fitting as these individuals have shown through the graciousness of God to lead lives that were counter cultural to society during their respective time periods. The Beatitudes present a way of life that assures us of eternal life. But do we really consider them as good news? Do we consider the poor truly blessed? Is there sense to the beatitude that those who mourn and are
peacemakers are indeed happy?

In essence, the focus of the beatitudes in declaring that certain
people are truly blessed is the reality that in one's helplessness and poverty, there is no other one to turn to except God. In this manner, they are able to root themselves to the One who is the source and end of everything. God is the only one who could console them in the midst of all the crises and challenges in life. This is easier said than done especially when there are urgent matters to attend to like bills to pay for food, education, rentals, and other basic needs. Yet, it is during such times that our faith may be tested in that we know that in some mysterious way, our needs will somehow be met.

The significance of today's feast is that we are able to believe that
there are now people who were with us then but now enjoy the company of God. This is something that hopefully can inspire us to follow suit so that in God's mercy and love, we may be privileged to be considered outstanding in our virtues as Catholic Christians who made real the presence of God in a world so much divided by hatred and differences.
Thus, the understanding of saints should not be strictly limited to
those officially declared by the Church as all of us are called to a
life of holiness. It cannot be denied that there are countless number of people whom we know who qualifies to be saints as their lives are reflective of the values of the beatitudes.

As we celebrate the Feast of all Saints, we beg them to intercede for us that we may be holy so that we too may eventually be with them in the company of our Lord Jesus.

Author unknown

Matthew 5; 2-12

He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for   they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
  Blessed are the clean of  heart, for they will see God.
  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
  Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven."

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