Solemnity of All Saints, November 1, 2020

REV 7:2-4, 9-14 JN 3:13, MT 5:1-12

Scripture

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are…”

Vatican II Church Fathers Very Clear

• All baptized believers and disciples of Jesus are called to holiness
• Holiness not just for ordained and religious
• Early Church mostly canonized priests, bishops, popes and religious brothers
• What about raising up more saints who are married wives, husbands or couples?

Explaining Sanctity to Children

• The example of the stained-glass windows in church
• At night they are not beautiful. What makes them beautiful
• Hands raised, “It’s the light.”

Thinking of Holiness

• It’s the Lord’s love shining through us
• Causes us to be super-alive
• Beaming with the Lord’s joy
• Doing very ordinary things extraordinarily well
• Real-not syrupy

We Need the Lord

• We have a tendency toward selfishness
• All saints struggled with selfishness at one time or another

Our Youngest Saint-Carlo Acutis

• Recently beatified in Italy on October 10th
• Normal kid-loved computers and video games
• Also loved the poor…bought homeless sleeping bags and hot drinks
• Wanted less for himself-more for others
• His love was extraordinary for the marginalized

Carlo Died of Leukemia at 15

• Buried in sneakers and hoodie
• He was ordinary yet the light of Jesus’ love shone brightly through him
• Pope Francis said Carlo and St. Francis both had a great love for the Eucharist and for the poor

An Afternoon on a Hillside by the Sea of Galilee

• We are given the recipe for happiness
• If I live these attitudes, I will be happy
• Beatitudes may have had a special meaning to Blessed Carlo

Watch out for the Saints in your Neighborhood!

Questions for Reflection

• What impacted you from today’s Gospel and/or homily?
• What one Beatitude do you organize your life around?
• What one or two Beatitudes are a special challenge for you?

Live Connected

Pray about a specific Beatitude which might be troublesome to you. Make a simple action plan to better live that Beatitude.