Rev 7:2-4/ 1 Jn 3:1-3/ Mt 5:1-12a
To drill a hole in a wall so to mount a hook in order to
hang up something precious and valuable is not as easy as it sounds.
Of course the easier and more convenient way is to just
put a stick-on hook and get it done with.
But that would certainly not be acceptable if we are
going to hang up something precious and valuable, like the portrait of our
loved ones.
Although to drill a hole in the wall is not rocket
science, yet some serious preparation need to be done.
Firstly, we need to get an electric drill that has the
hammer function for drilling into concrete walls. Of course not forgetting the
extension cord for the drill too.
Then we need to get the correct drill-bit; not just any
drill-bit but the carbide-tipped drill-bit that is meant for drilling into
concrete walls.
Besides that, the size of the drill-bit, the rawl-plug and
the hook need to be matched.
So there is much work that goes into the mounting of a
humble hook so that we can hang up confidently hang up something precious and
valuable.
Today as we celebrate All Saints Day, we remember the
saints who have received their heavenly reward for living a life of holiness
when they were in this world.
And for those who were canonized by the Church, they are
like portraits that are hung up for us to see as models of faith and holiness.
Yet the lives of these saints are like that humble hook
from which their portraits are hung.
Much work, much sacrifices, much penance and much prayers
have been offered by them as they strove for holiness.
They not only wanted to love like God, they desired to be
loved by God and to love Him above all.
So they decided to take the road that leads to God, the
long and winding narrow road that demands perseverance and persistence.
Here are some quotes the saints that will tell us about
their determinations.
St. Ignatius – Lead us to give and not to count the cost!
St. Augustine – Pray as though everything depended on
God. Work as though everything depended on you.
St. Vincent de Paul – Charity is certainly greater than
any rule.
Moreover all rules must lead to charity.
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus – You cannot be half a
saint; you must be a whole saint or not all.
And that last quote is from our own patron saint of this
parish.
And it is so true when it comes to love for God and
holiness. There is no half-way; it’s all or none at all.
So let us determine a mission statement for ourselves in
our strive for holiness and to show our love for God.
The Beatitudes which we heard in the gospel will give us
ample inspiration.
The saints will help us; we only need to keep on drilling
until we join them in heaven.