Walking with the Saints to Reach Christ!

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Solemnity of All Saints

Revelation 7:2-4,9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

As we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, we are invited to honor and imitate their witnessing to Christ. Their sacrifices laid the foundation for Christianity to take root and wings. 

For instance, we cannot forget the heroism of a missionary like St. Damien who volunteered to work among the lepers on Molokai, an island of death. His love for the castaway overwhelmed his fear. He was engaged in a tireless mission on the island since the day of his arrival. Tending to their wounds and enhancing the facilities became his full-time work. He gradually improved the basic amenities and sanitation. Every Sunday, Fr. Damien would begin his homily with these words: ‘You lepers know that God loves you.’ This went on for years. Finally, on one Sunday, Father Damien began his homily, saying: ‘We lepers know that God loves us.’ Yes indeed! Father Damien had contracted leprosy. Yet nothing deterred his ministry of love until his death in 1889. 

A sacrifice, when uncalled for, is truly noble. Fr. Damien’s altruistic initiative to serve the dreaded humanity is a heroic witness to the Christian faith. 

The life of the Catholic Church has been enriched and edified by a host of such exemplars. 

The saints leave us with some important lessons as we engage ourselves in the discipleship of Christ. 

1.They facilitate our imitation of Christ. At times, when we go through moments of discouragement, we look up to the saints to imitate Christ better. They were like us, going through life’s ordeals, though unwavering in their faith. Looking up to their examples boosts our confidence so that we realize that what was possible for them is now possible for us too. They have walked the road that we are trying to and have successfully reached their destination. It is enough for us to emulate their model. 

2. They teach us to see through the eyes of faith. As regards imitation of Christ, seeing through physical eyes does not offer much help because the visuals are sometimes intimidating. Whereas if we see through the eyes of faith, what was once dreadful begins to appear meaningful. The saints help us understand the necessity of such sacrifice for Christ’s sake and show us the path on which we should courageously proceed, trusting in God’s providence. Seeing through the eyes of faith is such a transformative experience, and the saints teach us the secret. 

3. They show that the cross is the only way to eternal life. Why would embracing the sacrifices become easy for them when, in fact, it is difficult for others? They know something that we don’t. With God’s grace, they intuit the glory that is in store for them. Being reassured of the eternal reward, they radiate hope when others reel under despair, doubt, and frustration. Hence, in following Christ, they show that the way to eternal life is through the path of the cross. 

Saints are a handbook for ordinary Christians to lead extraordinary lives. 

On this day, we should ask ourselves: ‘If He and She can, why can’t I?’

Let us pray that we may be inspired by the example of saints to walk the road they did to reach Christ!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar