SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS
(All Saints‘ Day)
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
1st Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14
I saw another angel, ascending from the sunrise, carrying the seal of the living God, and he cried out with a loud voice, to the four angels empowered to harm the earth and the sea, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads.“
Then, I heard the number of those marked with the seal: a hundred and forty-four thousand, from all the tribes of the people of Israel:
After this, I saw a great crowd, impossible to count, from every nation, race, people and tongue, standing before the throne, and the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands, and they cried out with a loud voice, “Who saves, but our God, who sits on the throne, and the Lamb?“
All the angels were around the throne, the elders and the four living creatures; they, then, bowed before the throne, with their faces to the ground, to worship God. They said, Amen. Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen!
At that moment, one of the elders spoke up, and said to me, “Who are these people clothed in white, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, it is you who know this.”
The elder replied, “They, are those who have come out of the great persecution; they have washed, and made their clothes white, in the blood of the Lamb.“
2nd Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-3
See what singular love the Father has for us: we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children, and what we shall be has not, yet, been shown. Yet, when he appears in his glory, we know, that we shall be like him, for, then, we shall see him as he is. All who have such a hope, try to be pure, as he is pure.
Gospel: Mt 5:1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:
Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted.
Fortunate are the gentle; they shall possess the land.
Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God.
Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God.
Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. For that is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.
REFLECTION:
Every time there is an announced canonization or beatification, I feel envious and always want to attend it. Thank God I was able to attend some. I feel envious because I know I could also be beatified or canonized. To be a saint is our calling. It is the end of life we all want to attain. The envy that I have always lead to deep self-examination, it strengthens and inspires me to go on with life especially in moments of dryness and difficulties. Reflecting on the lives of the saints, many of them, except the martyrs, did not perform extraordinary things but simply faithful to their ordinary duties and putting much love on it. They do it for the love of God and neighbor, not wanting to be praised and rewarded. However their goodness never escaped the eyes of God. They are canonized saints. I feel deep joy every time I think of them. I always feel their soft voice telling me, “you are destined to be with us.“ “ We are waiting for your coming.“ What then shall we do?
The following can help us for our reflections: The great use of life is to spend it for something that will last–(William James), “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe–(St Augustine), Happiness is not a goal, it is a by-product–(Eleanor Roosevelt)
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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