All Saints Day
1 John 3: 1
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.
All Saints Day. It could be subtitled, "Keep On Keepin' On Day" or "You Can Do It Day." It really can be a day of great inspiration and motivation if we allow it to be. Men and women who led earthly lives just like us are now with our heavenly Father. Some as Saints who we talk and read about like the new St. Teresa of Calcutta or St. Augustine, and others like your great grandmother who was a great model of holiness to her family. That's what it comes down to- holiness, which we are all called to. To be made holy is to be set apart. You've probably read in scripture the term "Holy Place" or "Holy of Holies" as part of a description of the Tabernacle Tent. The common person was only allowed to come so close to the presence of God. But when God sent His son to die for our sins, that separation was ended. Now we invite the HOLY Spirit to dwell within us through our baptism. We become the holy places. Pretty cool.
How can we help foster and grow in holiness? It's so simple, yet can be so challenging at the same time. We can do it through the ordinary - an act of humility or service. We can do it by standing up for someone being treated unjustly, like the poor and vulnerable. We can do it by showing courage when we are faced with a hardship like sickness or suffering.
I love to share this story that really sums up what it means to be holy. It takes it back to the basics because all too often we tend to complicate things, right? It's the story of a little boy who found himself sitting in a church pew one bright and sunny afternoon, looking up at all the Saints depicted in the church's beautiful stained-glass windows. A priest came and sat next to him, pointed up at the windows and asked if he knew who those Saints were. His answer was quick and confident. "Yes. The Saints are the ones the light shines through."
Just allow the Light of Christ to shine through you and you are on the path to holiness. Happy All Saints Day!
