Saturday, 1-11-2014
Solemnity of all Saints
Readings for the day:
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14,
1 John 3:1-3,
Psalm 24:1-6,
Matthew 5:1-12
Link to Readings –> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/110114.cfm
Reflection:
There are certain questions that pail the heart of man and his existence, one of which is the afterlife: What would it be like in the next world? Would there even be a life after this one?, series of questions can be thrown into the water from just this one.
St. John shares with us a glimpse of what it would be like in the next world and those who would likely participate in it, that is, It is a communion of souls(of every race, tribe, people and tongue) gathered in love and praise, and they have washed their robe in the blood of the lamb.- Revelation 7:14.
In essence, it is a place of worship, love and peace, a gathering of holy people, community of believers in one voice and mind, no more diversity as we have it here on earth, with Christ as their head.
As we celebrate the feast of all saints, it is a reminder that when we gather in worship, we participate in the liturgy of the Heavenly throne by the power of the holy spirit, we stand with our fellow brethren who have gone ahead of us (St. Paul, St. Francis of assisi, St. Thomas aquinas) and as pilgrims on earth, should anticipate in courage, hope and faith, the kingdom of Christ where we would live eternally. We form the one family of God, “for if we continue to love one another and to join in praising the Most Holy Trinity – all of us who are sons of God form one family in Christ.”- Lumen gentium 51
It is therefore necessary to set our hearts and minds on the precious gifts ahead, pray and constantly seek to live a life of holiness, for it is those whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean and desires are not in vain can climb the mountain of the Lord.- Psalm 24:3
We need then to die of sin, of the ills of the world and conduct ourselves in manners worthy of heaven, as stated in the beatitudes given to us by our lord(the blessed are), living a foretaste of the joy of the spirit here on earth.
I conclude with the words of the beloved Apostle, “Beloved, 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. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.- 1 John 3:2-3
Peace and love of Christ!
MO.
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