Halloween, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, October 31, November 1, November 2. A triduum that reminds us of the Easter Triduum, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
It’s the Pascal Mystery, the Death, and Resurrection of Jesus to save us.
These recent days remind all of us that the purpose of our lives is to become saints. Wow! Often when we think of saints, we only think of those men, women, named by the Church who lived exemplary lives or who were killed, rather than give up their faith. Every time we go to mass, we remember those holy men and women, heroes of holiness.
How easy it is to get caught up in temporary and worldly things. As I write this, tomorrow is election day, and I don’t know who our next president and government leaders will be. But I think of the gazillion dollars that have been spent to buy votes. For what? “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but lose his soul?” What ever happened to “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” And “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”?
If only we could be a lot like Mr. Scrooge in Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”. After a life of pursuing Gold, he learns that life is short, and that love is the only thing that really matters. It’s like he climbed the ladder of success only to find it was leaning against the wrong wall.
Unlike Mr. Scrooge, we don’t have to wait until the end of our lives to become saints. We can do it now. We may not be asked or able to do great things like the saints we remember at mass or be those who get churches named after them. Most saints are soon forgotten by most of the people. Most of us are not called to die for our faith, or start new religious movements, or even to stand in front of church. Yet all of us are given roles to play and task to accomplish in our lives. I think it was Mother Theresa of Calcutta who said that even if we are not called to do great things, we can do little things with great love.
As I walked through the cemeteries, I saw the names on the tombstones. Sooner or later, mine will be there, too. Some people I remember and some I have no clue who they were. I like to think they are all saints and will “rise on the last day”. They are women, men, and children who loved God above all else and showed it by the way they loved others. They are remembered by those they loved and who loved them. Who do you remember? Most likely, they are saints!
“May the Lord bless and keep you. May he let his face shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you his peace.”
