Rev 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24; 1Jn 3:1-3; Matt 5:1-12a

The first day of November every year, the universal Church celebrates the feast day of all the Saints both known and unknown. It is worth listening again and reflecting on the vision of John in today´s first reading; “I saw a great crowd, which no one could number, from all the nations and tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”

And to the question, “who are these people and where do they come from?” The Elder replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and have made them white by the blood of the Lamb.” We can note from this vision that no name of persons nor any great nation nor office nor rank nor class were their identity. Their identity is: “people washed in the blood of the Lamb.” Their place of origin is: “people coming from the great tribulations.”

The Solemnity and Feast of all Saints give you and I hope, because from every culture, every state of life and every condition of life, and all challenges of life, and no matter how great a tribulation might be, saints have been made from them. There is nothing you and I pass through now which some people had not conquered and became saints. The challenges you and I pass through as we struggle to do the will of God every day instead of killing the hope, wash you and I pure day by day in the blood of the Lamb. Thus, giving us the true identity of the Saints.

This celebration gives us hope but also a challenge. How will it be that such “a great number, impossible to count” will be saved and call to the joy of heaven; and you and I will be left out? The Gospel gives us the way to follow so that on that day we too can be clothed in white robes and with palm branches in our hands.

The world says Blessed are the rich, because they can buy whatever they want and enjoy conspicuous consumption. But Jesus says, Blessed are the poor in spirit, people who value God more than money; who know it is not their mansions or millions of money that makes them rich in the eyes of God, but what kind of people they are. The world says Blessed are those who live it up, and keep the party going. But Jesus says Blessed are those who mourn, who empathise with the misfortune, pain and sorrow of others, and try to help them with understanding, kindness, compassion, and sharing. The world says Blessed are the aggressive self-assertive winners, with the ruthless streak. But Jesus says Blessed are the gentle. Gentleness is not weakness, but a nobler kind of strength. The world says Blessed are those who enjoy status and fame. But Jesus says Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right. The only power and status we need is to keep trying to do what is right. There’s more contentment in living with a good conscience than in mixing with the famous and celebrities of this world.

The countless multitude standing before God’s throne in the vision of Revelation were ordinary men and women who allowed extraordinary grace to transform their lives. The Solemnity of All Saints reminds us that holiness is not reserved for a chosen few; it is the calling of every child of God. In the Beatitudes, Jesus reveals the true path to holiness: humility, mercy, purity of heart, meekness, peace and faithfulness even in suffering. These are not merely beautiful ideals but the very marks of a life surrendered to God. The saints remind us that heaven is not attained through worldly greatness but through daily fidelity to God’s love. Their lives challenge us to become what we already are by baptism: children of God, destined for eternal communion with Him. May we never be content merely to admire the saints, but find the courage to imitate their faith, embrace their love and walk their path, until we too behold the face of God.

In the words of Pope Francis: “The Saints are not supermen or superwomen. They were people who loved God in their hearts and who shared this joy with others. They were persons who found in the Lord the strength to rise up again and again.” Let us not forget the famous quote of Saint John of the Cross: “When the evening of life comes, we will be judged by love.” You and I can also be saints if we live by love, and the joy of God’s love with others.