All Saints

The Beatitudes of the Lord recorded by St Matthew indicates the beginning of Christ's public ministry.  

Year B of the liturgical year, for the Gospel reading, is primarily taken, not from St Matthew, but St Mark.  But today, there is an exception.  Because it is the solemnity of All Saints.  Therefore we hear the beatitudes recorded not by St Mark but St Matthew.  

When Advent begins, we will hear primarily from the Gospel of St Luke throughout the year.  Advent begins the last weekend of November.  By the way, the Gospel of St Luke is also known as the Gospel of Mercy.  

In speaking of All Saints, the Holy Father has canonized 4 new saints, or actually 5 if we include St Junipero Serra when Pope Francis was here in the US last September.  Two of the new canonized saints are the parents of St Teresa of Liseux.  This would be in line with the focus on the family. 

Why the official canonization of saints?  Not only because there are three miracles attributed to them, and that they either have been a martyr, or lived an exemplary and honorable life, a wonderful model for the faithful, but it is also the belief that Canonized Saints are actually in heaven.  Because the Pope, who like St Peter, have been given the keys to the kingdom by Christ.  The Holy Father, guided by the spirit, can open the gates of heaven for certain exemplary figures.  

A few years ago, I worked with the Swinomish community up north, and I worked with them for two years.  We had the privilege of going to the Vatican for the canonization of the first Native American Saint, St Kateri Tekakawitha, and also another Filipino Saint, Saint Pedro Calungsod, and five other canonized Saints.  It was a special time for the Indian community who long for one of their own to become a Saint.  It was a humble Mass because the Holy Father presented the candidates for Canonization to Almighty God in the opening prayer, and asked God to approve them as new saints in the Church.  

The Church has special days throughout the year to honor and remember saints.  But she also has one day to honor all the Saints, November 1.  

The Month of November is a time to focus our attention and energy on those who have gone before us.  We begin with All Saints on the first day of the month.  And on the second day of the month, we pray for All Souls and throughout this month.  It is an opportunity for the faithful to request Masses to be said for their loved ones in the All Souls Novena.  The faithful can do so my calling the parish office and contribute in an envelope, and ask that the names of their loved ones, who have past, be remembered.  It's a long standing tradition, and actually could be done throughout the year.  

You could offer a Mass for loved one, it could be your parents or grandparents who have passed, a spouse, a child or grandchild, a friend, a neighbor.  Your contributions will help the Church in her focus on praying for souls.  

Masses could be offered for either someone who has died, but also for someone who is living.  Have I offered a Mass this year for a loved one?  If we are not accustomed to the practice, you can start this month.  

Why do we offer Masses to honor saints and to pray for those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith?  So that we remain connected with them.  This is called the Communion of Saints.  The Holy Eucharist is the portal in which we can connect with our loved ones.  Christ is the gate to eternal life.  

So that when our loved ones are gone, they are not completely severed from our lives.  They are still connected to us through the Holy Eucharist.  The Holy Eucharist is the channel by which we stay in communion with them.  Because Christ is the gate of heaven.  

Why do we offer Masses for a loved one?  

In the Old Testament, Judas Maccabees discovered that one of his soldiers who had died but in his pocket, they found small statues or amulets to various deities.  This was in violation of the commandment that thou shall have no other gods besides the God of Israel.  Upon discovery, naturally, they were horrified of this abomination.  

Judas Maccabees, in order to make things right, took up a collection.  With those funds, he sent them to the temple of Jerusalem so that sacrifices could be offered for this soldier.  

Since we are Judeo-Christians, we adopt this similar tradition.  But we have the benefit of a Savior, and the one and only who can open the gates of paradise.  

Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega, All time belongs to him and all the ages, to him be glory and power through every age, and for ever.  Amen.