“The Solemnity of All Saints”

READINGS:   Revelation 7: 2-4. 9-14   /   Psalm 24: 1-2. 3-4. 5-6   /   1 John 3: 1-3   /   MATTHEW 5: 1-12

HIS WORD… BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, 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.

my words…Today is the Solemnity of the “Communion of All the Saints” or the “Communion of Churches”. We are taught in our Catechism regarding theexistence of the three “churches”; namely, the Church Triumphant, the Church Suffering, and the Church Militant.The Triumphant Church is the holy community of the saints and angels in Heaven; the Suffering Church consists of the souls who are still suffering in Purgatory; and the Militant Church is the community of believers who are still traversing here on earth. November 1 is the day for the Triumphant Church; November 2 is the day for the Suffering Church; and the ones celebrating these events of glory are the Militant Church. The whole two-day event in the Church calendar is a celebration of “communion” of these three Churches.

Historically, this celebration originated in the 4^th century as the Eastern Feast of “All the Martyrs”, which was also attested to by St. Ephraim (+373). Then Pope Gregory IV established this commemoration for all the Saints of the Roman Church in 835 A.D.Originally celebrated on an Easter Friday, the glorious event came to be celebrated in the wholeRome on the 13^th day of May. And then in the 9^th Century, the commemoration was transferred to the 1^st day of November, the date of its celebration in Ireland where it countered the Celtic pagan feast of the Druids (ORDO 2015, Cycle B, Year I). Traditionally and even today, people still celebrate it as “Halloween” or the feast of “ghosts and horrors”; but the Catholic Church has transformed it as a glorious celebration of our “communion” with all the saints in heaven.

Brothers and Sisters, today’s celebration is a reminder for all baptized Christians, that in the journey of life, we have models to follow who now become victorious in the glorious reign of God in heaven. Their lives, footsteps, and examples are inspirations for us that beyond human and earthly sufferings and pains there exists a reward of perpetual joy and glory in the Kingdom of God. These are the ones who had lived the Beatitudes and fulfilled the Decalogue in their lifetime. They have been rewarded and remembered for us to follow. And by their power and glory of being face to face with God in heaven, they can now help and intercede for us in our present journey of life. That is why in our prayer, we say to them: PRAY FOR US… to God.

HAPPY JOYFUL AND GLORIOUS ALL SAINTS’ DAY… LET US HOPE TO SEE THEM IN HEAVEN…  (By Fr. Julius C. Lupot)