The month of November begins with two very significant Feasts. In fact, in some parts of the world, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day (celebrated tomorrow) are still holidays (or Holy Days). These two days set the stage as it were for us to enter into this month especially dedicated to remembering those of our loved ones who have preceded us into heaven, and who await our arrival on the day when each of us will eventually complete our earthly journeys.
During the celebration of Mass today, I asked the gathered congregation to consider that the readings of today's liturgy invite us to consider that while we are gathered in one place (a church in this case) to pray, the Saints (those we know and those we have forgotten): the souls who have completed their earthly journeys and who we believe are now in heaven, stand watching us.
As John's vision described in the Book of Revelation describes in today's first reading, they stand before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. From their place in heaven, these souls sing their song of praise and call to us, assuring us of the place that is assured for us in our true Home.
As a reassurance of this reality, John's words written in the second reading tell us we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. In fact, we will see the cloud of witnesses - the Saints - as they are too, singing praises to the one who is seated on the throne.
While we wait for this day, we dare to call upon the Saints, asking them to pray for us, and we are encouraged as we gaze in faith upon the vision of this immense choir as they sing praises. As they look upon us and recognize our poverty of spirit, as they recognize the pain of those who mourn, as they acknowledge the trials of the meek, the hungry and the thirsty, we too gaze back at them and see these same realities in them, but what is seen by earthly eyes as weakness is transformed in the heavenly places to utter blessing.
Saints await us. Saints encourage us. Saints pray for us.
During the celebration of Mass today, I asked the gathered congregation to consider that the readings of today's liturgy invite us to consider that while we are gathered in one place (a church in this case) to pray, the Saints (those we know and those we have forgotten): the souls who have completed their earthly journeys and who we believe are now in heaven, stand watching us.
As John's vision described in the Book of Revelation describes in today's first reading, they stand before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. From their place in heaven, these souls sing their song of praise and call to us, assuring us of the place that is assured for us in our true Home.
As a reassurance of this reality, John's words written in the second reading tell us we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. In fact, we will see the cloud of witnesses - the Saints - as they are too, singing praises to the one who is seated on the throne.
While we wait for this day, we dare to call upon the Saints, asking them to pray for us, and we are encouraged as we gaze in faith upon the vision of this immense choir as they sing praises. As they look upon us and recognize our poverty of spirit, as they recognize the pain of those who mourn, as they acknowledge the trials of the meek, the hungry and the thirsty, we too gaze back at them and see these same realities in them, but what is seen by earthly eyes as weakness is transformed in the heavenly places to utter blessing.
Saints await us. Saints encourage us. Saints pray for us.
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