November 1--All Saints Day

Solemnity of All Saints

Lessons Along the Way to Heaven

Msgr Thomas Gervasio

 
A young novice, a Missionary of Charity, asked Mother Teresa of Calcutta, “Mother, what must I do to become a saint?” Mother Teresa replied, If you want to be a saint, die now…since Pope John Paul, is canonizing everyone!  
 
Sainthood is the goal, the most important and ultimate goal of every disciple, and that is the reason the Church sets aside this day and makes Mass an obligation to honor all the saints…not only those who have been officially recognized or canonized, but all those who are in heaven. Heaven is our goal and holiness is the way there. In this challenge, the saints help us along. They show us that holiness is possible for everyone. But we must get to know them by learning about them. What can we learn from the saints?
 
The first lesson we learn is how different they were from one another. They lived in different times and circumstances. They were husbands and wives, fathers, and mothers, young and old, rich, and poor. Among the saints are doctors, nurses, lawyers, athletes, teachers, shopkeepers, farmers, brewers, soldiers, scientists, kings, and queens, and yes popes, bishops, priests, deacons, sisters. Some were quiet and reserved, others excitable and noisy.
 
The second lesson the saints provide is that they were not perfect. Like us, they were flesh and blood, they were human. They struggled with sin, they complained, they were tempted, they lost their temper. Some suffered with addictions. A few were cranky, others had a sense of humor. Sometimes they were misunderstood and ridiculed.
 
The third lesson we learn is that in the end what made them pleasing to God and worthy of heaven was their conviction that God would help them overcome their struggles. They were certain that God would give them the strength to pick themselves up and begin again whenever they failed. They never lost hope. How many people today despair because they cannot see the light in dark times, that they cannot imagine any way out of a problem and feel they haven’t the strength to go on.
 
No matter the circumstances, the saints stayed close to God in prayer and sought strength in God’s Word and Eucharist. They went to Confession often. They lived the Beatitudes. They did not always think about themselves but served and helped others in need. This way of life brought them joy amid the messiness of life.
 
For these reasons we should get to know them better. They should never be strangers to us but our heavenly friends. Living in the presence of God—in a joy and glory we can hardly imagine—they stand ready to help us. This is the fourth lesson the Saints offer us—they are our advocates our intercessors. Our prayers are always stronger when we have their help. When we pray to the saints we are placing our hands in theirs, saying, let us together go to the Lord with this petition. You intercede for me, for my prayers are so feeble before God’s throne and the Lord will not refuse you who have served him so faithfully.
 
Let us get to know the Saints. Let’s carry them in our hearts so that we may never be disheartened but may always walk the path of faith with firm hope and ardent love.