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November 1, 2005
All Saints Day - God Calls Each of Us to Be Saints
Here's a post from Brian:
All Saints Day - God Calls Each of Us to Be Saints
All Saints Day is one of my favorite feast days. It is a day to honor and celebrate our brothers and sisters who have entered the narrow gate and received their Heavenly reward. These holy men and women, who now enjoy the beatific vision, form a great cloud of witnesses who intercede for us day and night.
What makes this feast day so special is that all the saints throughout the centuries are collectively recognized, whether canonized or not. It is a day to remember the sanctity and holiness of not only Francis, Clare, Dominic, Paul and Therese but all men and women who have run the race and fought the good fight.
I think many Catholics are confused over what makes a saint. Many have the mistaken notion that a saint is someone who works miracles, prophecies, and has mystical experiences. What they don’t realize is that everyone is called to be a saint.
I am reminded of a story that Fr. Paul O’Sullivan told in his little work An Easy Way to Become a Saint. He relates how God sent St. Anthony the Abbot to visit two women who lived near him. While visiting, Anthony questioned the women about their spiritual practices. The women responded by telling him that they strive to be virtuous, receive the sacraments frequently, say their prayers daily and help those in need. Through his interaction with the two women, Anthony realized that holiness was not about severe fasts, long penances and all night vigils but about humbly serving and loving the Lord.
Holiness is not something to be scared of or repulsed by, but rather is should be our goal in life. I often think of the Carmelite lay brother, Lawrence of the Resurrection, who spent many years as a cook within a large monastery. Even though his job was difficult and time consuming, he was able to find God amongst the pots and pans. Brother Lawrence developed a simple spirituality that helped him keep his heart united to Christ while doing his daily chores and duties.
My thoughts also turn to Virginia Cyr who died at a young age from cerebral palsy. She never held a job or earned a living. In fact, the majority of her life was spent within an orphanage, and later, a nursing home. Even so, she developed a beautiful and simple spirituality that closely united her to Jesus and Mary. Her life became a continuous prayer of humility and love.
I believe the message of All Saints Day is this – holiness is for everyone. What makes men and women, such as Brother Lawrence and Virginia Cyr so awesome is that they found holiness within their station/vocation in life. They did not have to go searching for it; they found it right where God placed them. Moreover, if they found it amidst the kitchen and institutions, then you and I can find it within our families, places of work and social environment.
May the Lord bless you and your family on this glorious feast day of All Saints.
God Bless.
Posted by bobbi at November 1, 2005 6:51 AM
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