The Solemnity of All Saints
By Abba Jimmy (Theoloscience)
Reading 1 (Revelation 7:2–4, 9–14) offers a heavenly vision where the faithful, marked with the seal of God, come from all corners of the earth. This crowd in white robes symbolizes those who have remained steadfast in their faith through trials and tribulations. They are the ones who have lived the Beatitudes, embodying the virtues that Jesus proclaimed.
The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3–4ab, 5–6) complements this by calling the faithful to purity and justice. It reflects the promises of the Beatitudes, suggesting that those who seek the face of God — the pure in heart, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness — will receive God’s blessing and be in his holy place.
Reading 2 (1 John 3:1–3) speaks of the believer’s transformation into the likeness of Christ. This echoes the promises of the Beatitudes, where the pure in heart will see God and the peacemakers will be called children of God. It underlines the Christian hope of definitive union with God, which inspires the believer to live a life marked by the virtues of the Beatitudes.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This Beatitude refers to those who recognize their own spiritual poverty, understanding that they need God’s help. To be “poor in spirit” is to have humility and recognize one’s own weaknesses and dependence on God. Jesus promises these people the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who cry, for they will be comforted.
Crying in this context can be understood as mourning for sin and the brokenness of the world. It is not only personal pain, but also shared lament for the pain and suffering in the world. The consolation promised here is both present and future: the presence of God and eventual restoration and healing.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Meekness is not weakness; It is strength under control. The meek are those who are gentle, humble and patient, even in the face of adversity. Instead of asserting their own power or seeking revenge, they trust in God’s justice. The promise is that they will inherit the earth, indicating a future where God’s ways will prevail.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
This Beatitude praises those who deeply desire justice and moral righteousness as if they needed it as much as food and water. They are those who actively seek to live according to God’s will and see God’s justice realized in the world. Their satisfaction comes in part from living a righteous life and ultimately in the fulfillment of God’s righteous kingdom.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.
Mercy involves compassion and forgiveness towards others. Those who are merciful reflect God’s mercy in their own lives. The promise is reciprocal; By being merciful to others, they themselves will receive mercy, both from God and from people.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Pure in heart” refers to those with purity of intention and desire, without ulterior motives or deception. It is a call to sincerity and inner holiness. The pure in heart are promised the most intimate relationship with God, seeing him, which means knowing him and being in his presence.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Peacemakers actively work to reconcile differences, reduce conflict, and promote peace. Their work reflects the peace and reconciliation that God provides through Christ. As such, they are recognized as children of God, bearing the family resemblance by their actions.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This Beatitude recognizes that living by these values can lead to persecution. Standing up for justice and righteousness can provoke opposition. Jesus assures such individuals that they will be rewarded with the kingdom of heaven, echoing the promise of the first Beatitude.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
The final Beatitude extends the previous one by personalizing the experience of persecution and adding an exhortation to joy. It is a direct encouragement to the disciples and all believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite opposition, with the assurance of a heavenly reward.
Application:
The Solemnity of All Saints is a celebration of those who have embodied the Beatitudes. Each saint, in his own way, was poor in spirit, meek, pure in heart, or persecuted for justice. We honor his memory not only with reverence, but as a call to emulate his virtues in our daily lives.
They remind us through the readings and the Beatitudes that holiness is not reserved for a select few, but is the vocation of every Christian. The virtues described in the Beatitudes are a blueprint for our own path to holiness. As we strive to live up to these blessings, we actively participate in the communion of saints.
Just as the great multitude in white robes was cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, we are also called to cleanse ourselves through repentance, mercy, and the constant pursuit of justice. The promise of seeing God and being comforted, of inheriting the earth and being satisfied in our hunger for righteousness, is not only a future hope but a present reality as we live out the Beatitudes in our lives.
Therefore, the Solemnity of All Saints encourages us to reflect on the lives of the saints who came before us, inspiring us by their example to live lives worthy of the calling we have received. Each of us is invited to participate in the great tapestry of holiness that stretches across time and space, united in our common goal of seeing the face of God, which is the ultimate longing of every soul, as expressed in the Psalm: “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.”
