Word to the Wise
Friday, November 1, 2019 - Nov. 1 - All Saints
[Rev 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matt 5:1-12a]After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. (Revelation)
Beginning today, I will be preaching a retreat for women at a retreat center in New Orleans, LA. The title of the retreat is, WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN! CAN I BE IN THAT NUMBER? The answer to that question, in general, is "Yes!" All of us who are baptized are called to be "saints." We belong to the communion of saints that we profess when we say the NIcene Creed on Sundays or on a holy day like this feast of All Saints! We are from "every nation, race, people and tongue." We do not have to be dead or canonized. We do have to live in accord with Jesus' teachings.
St. Dominic is said to have told those surrounding his death bed, "Do not weep for me. I will be more useful to you after I die!" And yes, those who are experiencing eternal life do pray for us. They are our brothers and sisters in faith. They have "been there and done that" in a way that linked them to God and keeps them united for eternity. They did it and so can we. Whether or not we will wear white robes and hold palm branches is a matter left to visions. The writer, Oscar Wilde, is quotes as saying, "Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future." Today we embrace all who have lived a holy life, canonized or not, and do our best to be holy members of the Communion of Saints. We can be in that number! AMEN