11 02 2025 All Saints’

This morning, we commemorate two significant days in our liturgical calendar: All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

All Saints’ Day honors all saints, both known and unknown, who have passed away. We focus on the joy of the resurrection and the unity of the saints.

All Souls’ Day honors the faithful departed, especially those who may not be recognized as saints. We emphasize prayer for the souls of loved ones who have died.

Both days highlight the connection between the living and the dead within the Christian community. One day is a joyful celebration, while the other is a solemn remembrance. We focus on intercession for the departed and the hope of resurrection.

In our tradition, a saint doesn’t have to be canonized and recognized by church authority. A saint is a faithful Christian who shares life in Christ.

So, today is not just about remembering those who have gone before us. It’s also about who we are becoming and what a saint’s life entails. Living faithfully connects all of us in the communion of saints. The blessings and challenges we heard in the gospel reading can guide us as we explore and learn about the kingdom of God and what it means to live faithfully.

What does it mean to be blessed? Is it measured by success, comfort, and happiness? Is it simply good things happening in our lives? When something good happens, we often say we’ve been blessed by God, which is a sign of his love for us. But what about when something bad happens? Does that mean we’re not blessed and not loved? I hope not.

Are we blessed by being poor, hungry, or sad? Or is being blessed more about living with hearts filled with hope and the love of Christ, regardless of our circumstances? I believe that’s what Jesus is trying to teach us.

Saints, whether they had much or little, were famous or unknown, lived with Christ in their hearts and trusted God’s promises even when life was difficult. They trusted the words of Jesus rather than the words of the world.

I can’t fathom anyone of us not experiencing hardships or losses. It is the saints who have come before us and those who stand with us during difficult times that have helped us endure. These saints prayed for us, loved us, forgave us, and challenged us to live faithfully. They encouraged us to hold onto hope even when all seems lost. And we do the same for them.

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. This is radical. It is love that resembles the cross, is nonviolent, and refuses to retaliate with evil. It is not easy to live this radical love. It is the path of Christ and the essence of faithful living. We strive, stumble, and try again.

Saints are not perfect. We are human and sometimes make mistakes. However, we are guided by the values of mercy and forgiveness embodied in the beatitudes. We feed the hungry, listen to the hurting, and love those who are difficult to love. We comfort those who grieve, share meals, and stand for justice. This is ordinary and everyday faithfulness—the persistence of love. To be a blessing instead of being blessed. We were shown the way by others, and we now show the way to our community.

The saints we remember today serve as a promise to the faithful. They declare that love is greater than hate, mercy is greater than fear, and Christ within us is greater than death.

Let us pray.

The Lord takes great pleasure in us. God cares for us and hears our prayers. O Lord, increase our faith in you. Increase our love for one another. Grant us a spirit of wisdom.

We offer our blessings for the human family. Bless the poor, the hungry, and those who now weep. Bless those in need. Bless the saints who now rest from their labors.

Our hope is set on you, O Christ.

Amen.