A WORD FOR TODAY 1 NOVEMBER 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD

Today the universal church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints. It is a day set aside in the Church to honour all those who lived a holy life and are in heaven, but have not been officially recognised by the Church. There are many souls in heaven who lived a life of purity and sanctity while on earth. The Church may not have seen them, but God knows them and they are enjoying the beautiful vision and this feast captures them and gives glory to God on their behalf.

Sainthood is not meant for a few, but for all who will heed God's voice and live a life that will bring glory to His name. Saints are ordinary human beings like us who lived in this life. They experienced the pain and challenges of this life, but they never let the world and all it brings to conquer them. They remained steadfast in their pursuit of holiness and today they are rejoicing in God's presence.*_

They washed themselves in the blood of the lamb as saint John noted in the first reading of today in the revelation he saw. Their pain and tribulations were over and they are now before the the throne of the lamb praising Him. They spent their life for God and humanity, they died for the truth and stood on the side of justice, they abhorred evil and detested anything that leads their heart away from God. They offered themselves as burnt offering of sweet fragrance to God in the service of their brothers and sisters in this life and today the Church honours and celebrates them.

This solemnity is not just about the Church Triumphant, but more importantly about the pilgrim Church. It is a celebration that is meant to inspire us who are still here on earth to know that sainthood is possible if we will walk in the way of the Lord and live the life of the blessed as highlighted in the gospel reading of today. When you thirst and hunger for righteousness you shall be satisfied and you will be a saint. When you show mercy to others, mercy will be shown to you and you will be a saint. When you are pure in heart you will definitely see God and you will enjoy the beatific vision, for that is the lot of all the saints . When you work for peace, you will be like God and you will be a saint. When you suffer persecutions for being good and for being a Christian, you shall be a saint and the kingdom of heaven shall be your reward.

God made us his children and He created us in His image and likeness. If we live well, we shall definitely be like Him and we shall see Him face to face in heaven. To live a saintly life does not mean to disappear from the world, rather, it means to change the world through our words and actions. If we proclaim God here on earth in words and actions, we must surely live with Him in heaven as saints.

Do not say that sainthood is not possible for you because of your failings, if you rise up today, start afresh, stay focused and continue to make sincere and honest effort to serve God in humanity, one day, your name will be added in the list of saints in God's presence. Strive everyday to make your hands clean, your heart pure and never set your soul on vain things, but always do those things that will please God and you will be on your way to being the next saint in God's presence.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊 as you do your work and do have a splendid day and happy New Month of November. May the saints intercede for your so that you will live well and become a saint someday. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Revelation 7:2-4,9-14/Psalm 24:1-6/1 John 3:1-3/Matthew 5:1-12

Watch-Word: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

A little effort, sincerity and commitment will help you to be a saint. Keep doing the good things, it will come to count for you someday.

(Solemnity of All Saints )