The Sainthood

 Reflection on the Readings for the Solemnity of All Saints, Sunday 1st November, 2020

Texts: Rev. 7:2-4.9-14; Ps. 24:11-6; 1John 3:1-3; Matt. 5:1-12a

The Church has three dimensions: the pilgrim/militant church, the suffering church and the triumphant church. These three aspects of the Church are bonded together in cordial relationship called communion of saints. In apostles' Creed we profess it thus: "I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints". The triumphant church, which are the saints, intercede for us, the pilgrim/militant church, while we pray to them and honour their memory. We are called militant church because we are still fighting the good fight, and called pilgrim church to show that we are on a journey to heaven. The triumphant church guide us by examples of their lives; they encourage us to forge ahead; they give us hope that if we persevere till the end we will win. They are source of courage to us. Hence, in the letter to the Hebrews it is said, "With so many witnesses in a great cloud all around us, we too, then, should throw off everything that weighs us down and the sin that clings so closely, and with perseverance keep running in the race which lies ahead of us" (12:1).

Today, we celebrate the triumphant church, we honour them, we appreciate them for the life they lived, we thank them for their legacy. Honouring the saints win us their favours and intercession.

Today's Readings tell us who saint is. The first reading tells us that saints are those who have come out of great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They had endured the challenges of life, trials and temptation with joy and with no complaint. They washed their robes in his blood and make them white through their faith in him. By our faith in the Lamb we are purified by his blood and made righteous. The reading also shows that saints are in heaven adoring God for his salvation, wisdom, glory, honour, blessings and power. They acknowledge that Thanksgiving belongs to him

Today's psalm tells us that saints are those whose hands were clean and hearts pure. This means they were those who meditated on holy things such as the mysteries of Christ, the words of God, the creation of God, etc. They were of clean hands means they did not do evil things; they found joy in doing what is right and excellent. The psalm also says that they were people whose souls were not set on vain things. This means they were not attached to worldly things.

Today's gospel reading tells us more about the saints: they were poor in spirit, that is, they did not have attachment to material things; they hoped in God to wipe away their tears; they were meek and gentle; they lived righteous life; they were merciful; they worked for peace; they preferred suffering instead of giving up righteous life; they endured suffering and insult instead of denying Jesus Christ. Those were the saints we celebrate today. They are not spirit, they were once like us, in flesh and blood, fighting the good fight, and they have now won the crown of glory.

Now that we have known what earned them the sainthood, we are to go and do the same. Sainthood is our Calling; every Christian is called to be a saint. This call to be a saint is out of love God has for us. Hence, the second reading says, "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God." God loves us and so calls us to be saints.

Lord our God, we thank you for reaching out to us in love and for calling us to be saints; grant that we may live every day of our lives with the aim of being saints. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke