The responsorial verse from this Sunday’s special readings (Psalm 24:1bc–2, 3–4ab, 5–6; v. 6) captures the spirit and aspirations of the countless men and women whom the Church invites us to celebrate on November 1. Following in the footsteps of St. Augustine’s recognition and prayer that God has made us for Himself and that our hearts are restless until they rest in God, I can strongly attest that their lives point to one of our deepest yearnings: the longing to see the face of God.
I have often wondered, out of curiosity, what these saints did and what we can do to become like them. Several things come to mind whenever I do, including their love, sacrifices, generosity, and, above all, their selflessness. Today’s Gospel (Matthew 5:1-12a) gives us a glimpse of the qualities they embodied. They hungered and thirsted for righteousness, showed mercy to others, worked for peace, and remained steadfast in doing what’s right, even when it was difficult. As I reflect on these values and virtues, I cannot help but ask: Are we lacking in these practices in our world today?
In the first reading from the Book of Revelation (7:2-4, 9-14), the Apostle John recounts his vision of the great multitude standing before God, offering us hope for our own future if we remain faithful. In the second reading (1 John 3:1-3), he reinforces this hope by reminding us that we are God’s children and that we shall become like Him when He is fully revealed. I want to say here that I believe wholeheartedly in this promise and in the hope of sharing in the glory of the saints.
As we begin a new week, I offer a special prayer for you who are reading this reflection. First, I want to assure you that you are not alone in your journey or in the challenges you face. The countless saints, including our faithful and devoted family members, friends, colleagues, and even those we have never met or heard about, accompany us through our joys and struggles. My prayer is that God may open the eyes of your mind and heart (see Ephesians 1:18-19) to recognize and experience their presence and support. May He also grant you the grace and strength to remain on the right path, today and forever, for the glory that lies ahead of all of us. Amen.
