Saturday November 1st: The manifesto to Sainthood

Solemnity of All Saints

“And He began to teach them.”

Matthew 5.1-12

Today the Church celebrates and recognizes All Saints. We not only remember all the recognized saints, but Jesus presents us with what will make each one of us saints. Matthew tells us, ‘When Jesus saw the crowds He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them.’

The Beatitudes are the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus identifies eight types of people who are blessed and meet the criteria for sainthood: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness.

Reflection on today’s Gospel passage points us to evaluate where we are on the heavenly scale. We, like the disciples, are probably taken aback by this teaching which seems to be the opposite of what the world teaches. We also note how hard it is to become a saint. We can be assured as we examine the life of any saint, for example St Augustine, that it may not be easy but very possible.