Greetings on this the Solemnity of All Saints
Readings: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; PS 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a
Notes: We celebrate the Martyrs today, the Saints who have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. Our white Albs, your white Albs, are a sign of your baptism, made clean in the baptismal waters. The martyrs holding palm branches signify their complete devotion in their losing this life for the glory of God.
They cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb.”
They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed:
“Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
From three years ago: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2019/11/01/the-making-of-saints/
Reflection (from the Franciscans)
This feast first honored martyrs. Later, when Christians were free to worship according to their consciences, the Church acknowledged other paths to sanctity. In the early centuries the only criterion was popular acclaim, even when the bishop’s approval became the final step in placing a commemoration on the calendar. The first papal canonization occurred in 993; the lengthy process now required to prove extraordinary sanctity took form in the last 500 years. Today’s feast honors the obscure as well as the famous—the saints each of us have known.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/solemnity-of-all-saints
- 311 – Edict of Toleration – Emperor Galerius
- 313 – Edict of Milan – Emperor Constantine – Freedom of Worship
- 391 – Declared State Religion.
Thereafter, besides honoring those who were martyred we consider those who suffer a dry martyrdom. Persistent under persecution. Faithful under duress.
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.
Even further, we take heart the gospel portion today where Jesus describes those who have the Beatitudes. The ones who act in the image and likeness of God.
First reading
“Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”
Responsorial Psalm
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Second reading
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
Alleluia Verse
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Gospel Portion
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are… the Beatitudes. The ones who act in the image and likeness of God.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit.
- Blessed are they who mourn.
- Blessed are the meek.
- Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
- Blessed are the merciful.
- Blessed are the clean of heart.
- Blessed are the peacemakers.
- Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
- Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
- and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Sacred Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9oW91Iv8D8
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 