HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS.
THEME: WASHED IN THE BLOOD!
BY: Benedict Agbo (Rev Fr).
HOMILY FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1 2022.
* Rev 7 : 2 – 14, 1 Jn 3 : 1 – 3, Mt 5 : 1 – 12.
The Saints are not necessarily the perfect / holy people as many of us think, but the people who have been washed in the Blood of Christ. Salvation is all about REDEMPTION (through faith in what Jesus has done on Calvary), REPENTANCE (submitting yourself for constant purification by the blood of Christ) and REGENERATION (being born -again through renewal in the Spirit). St John says in today’s 2nd reading that when we realize what great love the father has lavished upon us by making us his children inspite of ourselves, we should then try to purify ourselves to become as pure as he is.
Who are the Saints that we celebrate today?
1. They are people who have learnt to rely on the Grace of Jesus Christ through their prayer life (THE POOR IN SPIRIT), Jn 15: 1 – 3.
2. They are the people who have acquired the gentility that Jesus taught us (THE GENTLE), Matt 11: 29 – 30.
3. They are the people who are comforted by Jesus’ friendship especially in moments of mourning (THE MOURNERS), Jn 11: 26.
4. They are the people who hunger for Jesus always especially in the Eucharist through being in a state of grace and uprightness (THE RIGHTEOUS),1 Cor 11: 29.
5. They are the people who enjoy the mercy of Jesus (as Zacheus did) by being merciful themselves to their fellow servants (THE MERCIFUL), Lk 19: 1 – 10.
6. They are the people who purify themselves always in the Blood of Jesus when they fall into sin (THE PURIFIED), Rev 7: 13 -14.
7. They are those who seek the peace of Christ always with both God and neighbour (THE PEACEMAKERS), Jn 20: 20 – 23.
8. They are the people who are ready always to suffer persecutions and tribulations for Christ’s sake (THE MARTYRS), Lk 9: 23.
The saints may not necessarily have all the above qualities in them in order to qualify as such. But one thing is clear, that once we begin to commune sincerely with Christ, salvation has started. Every other thing is a matter of degree and time. May God help us to target the above 8 qualities of sainthood now that we are on earth. May God bless you today!