11/1/2025 (Saturday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 5:1-12A
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 He began to teach them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
12A Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

11/1/2025 (Saturday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 5:1-12A
Solemnity of All Saints (All Saints Day)

All Saints’ Day is a celebration not just of the canonized saints whose names we know, but of all the holy men and women, known and unknown, who have lived their lives faithfully in love, humility, and service to God. It is a day to honor their example and to remember that each one of us is also called to holiness. The Beatitudes from the Gospel reading above give us a beautiful portrait of what it means to be a saint in the eyes of God, not through perfection or power, but through a heart shaped by love, mercy, and humility.

When Jesus spoke the Beatitudes on the mountain, He was teaching a radical truth: that holiness is not about status, wealth, or success. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” He said, reminding us that true richness is found not in possessions, but in dependence on God. The saints understood this deeply. Many of them gave up worldly comfort to find their treasure in heaven. But even in our ordinary lives, we too can live this out by trusting God in our weakness, acknowledging our limitations, and relying on His grace each day.

“Blessed are those who mourn,” Jesus continued. Saints are not strangers to pain. They wept over sin, injustice, and the suffering of others. Their compassion was born out of love. In a world where people are told to hide their tears, the Beatitudes teach us that mourning for what is wrong in the world is a holy act. Each time we comfort a friend, stand by someone in grief, or bring hope to the brokenhearted, we walk the same path the saints walked, turning sorrow into strength through faith.

“Blessed are the meek.” Meekness is not weakness; it is strength under control. It is the quiet courage to do what is right without seeking recognition. The saints lived this kind of courage, choosing peace over pride, patience over anger, humility over dominance. In our time, we can practice meekness by choosing kindness when it’s easier to be harsh, and forgiveness when it’s tempting to retaliate. This is the gentle power that transforms hearts and relationships.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” The saints longed for justice, not for their own gain, but for the glory of God and the good of others. They could not stay silent in the face of oppression or indifference. Our world still needs people like them today — people who hunger for truth, fairness, and compassion in families, workplaces, and communities. Each act of honesty, each stand for what is right, no matter how small, reflects the light of the saints.

The Beatitudes also remind us that holiness is often hidden in mercy, purity, and peace-making. “Blessed are the merciful.” Every act of forgiveness, every moment we choose to understand rather than to judge, is a reflection of God’s heart. “Blessed are the pure of heart.” Purity is not about isolation but about integrity, a heart undivided, focused on God’s love. “Blessed are the peacemakers.” When we bridge divisions, reconcile differences, and bring calm where there is conflict, we continue the work of Christ Himself.

Finally, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Every saint faced trials. Their faith was tested, but they remained steadfast. Today, being faithful to God’s values can also bring misunderstanding or rejection. Yet, like them, we are invited to rejoice, knowing that our reward is not in worldly approval but in eternal life with God.

All Saints’ Day is not only a day of remembrance; it is a call to action. We are invited to follow in the footsteps of those who lived the Beatitudes, to let our own lives become a reflection of God’s love in the world. Holiness is not reserved for the few; it is the destiny of all who walk humbly with God.

May we live as modern saints. Let us be merciful, humble, and faithful, so that through us, others may glimpse the Kingdom of Heaven already at work on earth.

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