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 Solemnity of All Saints: Homily by Fr Isaac

Theme: Following the Footsteps of Our Brothers and Sisters in Heaven.

Readings: Rev 7:2-4,9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the Feast of All Saints is a profound and joyful celebration in the life of the Church. It is a feast that strengthens our hope and reassures us that our hope of inheriting heaven, our true home after this earthly exile, is not in vain. Today’s celebration affirms the reality of heaven, not as a distant dream, but as a promise already fulfilled in the lives of countless men and women who have gone before us in faith.

This feast tells us that the heavenly home and the beatific vision we yearn for have already been attained by some of our brothers and sisters. God has rewarded them with the very gift we strive for through our daily efforts to live holy lives. The race to heaven has been run and won by many. So, their victory, which we celebrate today, is our encouragement. No one can now say that heaven is a myth or discourage us from pursuing it. The saints are living proof that the promise of eternal life is real.

In today’s first reading, the Apostle John shares a breathtaking vision. He saw 144,000 from the tribes of Israel marked with the seal of God. Then he beheld a multitude beyond counting, people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Dear friends, this is the glorious vision of heaven revealed to John, a vision that now belongs to us.

The Feast of All Saints reminds us that those in heaven are not strangers or superhumans. It tells us that some of the people we knew and many others that we never knew have entered the glorious home of God, sharing in His glory. They are people like us, those who lived in our homes, walked our streets, ate our food, watched our films, endured our weather, and wore the same clothes as us. They faced the same joys and sorrows, temptations and trials we are facing. And yet, they made it. If they could, so can we.

Among the saints are people from every walk of life: some were rich, others poor; some were beautiful, others ugly; some died in innocence, others repented after years of sin; some were brilliant, others struggled intellectually; some were fiery in temperament, others gentle and calm; some lived long lives, others died young; some endured persecution, others did not. However, despite their differences, they shared one common goal: heaven. They did not let their strengths or weaknesses, privileges or hardships, distract them from that goal. They allowed the grace of God to triumph in their lives. Friends, this is the challenge this feast presents to us: to make heaven our ultimate goal, no matter our circumstances.

But how do we do that? What path must we follow? The Gospel of today gives us the answer. Through the Beatitudes, Jesus lays out the roadmap to heaven, the very path our brothers and sisters, the saints, walked. These are not lofty ideals beyond our reach; rather, they are practical steps we can take every day. They are being poor in spirit, being meek, having hunger for righteousness, being merciful, being pure in heart, being a peacemaker, and accepting persecutions for the sake of Christ and for the sake of righteousness.

These are the principles that guided the saints. They are the keys to the kingdom of God. Let us use them to examine our own lives and renew our commitment to holiness.

Dear friends, heaven is real. The saints are our proof. Let us not be discouraged by our weaknesses or distracted by the world. Instead, let us fix our eyes on Christ and walk the path of the Beatitudes with courage and joy.

Peace be with you. Happy Feast Day!

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima