Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints.  From the book of Revelation (7:2-14) we hear Saint John’s apocalyptic  vision – actual two visions – one of Saints in the heavenly realm, and one of Saints in the earthly realm.  And this is appropriate because on this day we not only recognize the Saints who reside with our God in heavenly glory, but we also recognize all of us – those of us who seek to do God’s will and to further His Kingdom right here and now on earth.  And together we all make up the Communion of Saints – the body of Christ, and the Church Of God – a people who glorify God by living our lives in accordance with God’s will out of love for God and each other.

And in today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12) Jesus tells us that we don’t necessarily need to do extraordinary things to achieve sainthood.  It is in our “ordinary” attitudes, behaviors and actions that we achieve true holiness.  It is through a disposition of humility and selflessness and a realization that our lives are completely dependent on God that we dispose ourselves to God’s will.  It is by acting out of concern, compassion, mercy, tolerance, and forgiveness towards our fellow brothers and sisters that we do God’s will and bring forth God’s Kingdom right here on earth.  It is by actions that bring forth justice and peace that we bring forth God’s kingdom.  This is the everyday holiness that we aspire to – an aspiration and a hope founded in – as Saint John tells us – the tremendous love that God has for us and our adoption as His beloved children (1 John 3:1-3). 

So today, and every day we heed the words that we heard at the end of today’s Mass – “Saints of God, go in peace to glorify the Lord by your lives”.