Solemnity of All Saints

 "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God." (1 Jn 3:1) All of us are called to be saints. St Paul greets the Christians of Rome with: "To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints." (Rm 1:7) This is not easy. Jesus speaks of entering the "narrow gate" (Mtt 7:13) and Catechism teaches us: "The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes." (CCC2015) The saints are those who fully enjoy this reality. They are not separated from us because they remain as part of the Body of Christ. They are not just role models and witnesses, they are companions in prayer who support us in our trials and exhort us to greater efforts such that when we meet in heaven we can rejoice forever. The image given for this is that of the Book of Revelation: "Then I heard what seemed to be a voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunderpeals crying out: 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and given him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure' - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." (Rev 19: 6-8)