The priest Rafael Mosteyrín offers an article about the feast of All Saints, celebrated every November 1st, and the goal of holiness.
***
On the first day of November, we always celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. It is a time when there are already chestnuts, and sweets for the feast, like the bones of saints.
When we celebrate a saint we realize that he is a great helper, an intercessor. That is why the joy of this feast is enormous because they are all those who offer to help us simultaneously. They are an immense multitude, among whom are also those from our city, and our ancestors.
It is often said that the first saint canonized by the Lord is the good thief. Shortly before dying, Jesus assures him that he will be that same day, with Him, in Paradise. In the end, this is the only thing that is truly worth it. The only important thing in our life is that we get to Heaven. And the saying that better late than never has been better. That is why the good thief, with his repentance, is no longer Dimas the thief, but Saint Dimas.
We celebrate all the saints, and we remember a goal that is proposed to every Christian, nothing more and nothing less than holiness. But is it possible? Have the saints been of flesh and blood, and have they had the difficulties that each one of us has in our life? Of course they have, equal or greater. So it is clear that they are the same as us. What is more, the saint can be very weak, and have many mistakes in his life. But the main thing in his life is that he always trusts in God. At the same time, he is always nonconformist, and seeks to be more and more a friend of God.
When we are reminded that all men are called to be saints, we are asked to let God work in our lives. That is why a saint can do a lot. It is not about doing new or different things, but about each person doing what they should and being in what they do. I do think that this is what really matters, above all.
The saints did everything for the love of God. Because they knew they were loved by Christ. Today’s Gospel describes it: they cried, but were consoled. They were merciful and obtained mercy. They are with God and we bear their names. Likewise, they look at us with affection, they intercede for us and help us. Among them are our friends, family, coworkers. Extraordinary men who we know with all certainty are in Heaven.
Today we are invited to look at Heaven. Let’s look at Heaven. Where extraordinary men live, who are the saints. Holiness is loving a lot, with a big heart that comes from your Jesus. Lord, let me be loved a lot by You, so that I can love as You love us.
