Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1): Reflection by Fr Julian Ekeh

Theme: ALL SAINTS: THOSE WHO CAME, WHO SAW AND WHO CONQUERED

(Matthew 5:1–12a)

On this day every year, we call to mind that there are the Triumphant, the militant, and the suffering Churches, respectively. We profess our belief on these in our creed. In a very special and particular way today, we are meant to draw our attention to the article of faith, which reads: “I believe in… the communion of saints.”

All saints or all hallows is a solemnity in the Catholic Church when we celebrate our brothers and sisters who lived before us but distinguished themselves by their heroic ability to triumph over the trials and temptations surrounding human existence here. Thus, for such effort, they are rewarded by God. Some of them are known while many of them, including our own great grandfathers and indeed our ancestors, are unknown, but they are in heaven. Thus there we may have St Osita, St Njoku, St Osuagwu, St Iberedem, St Umoh, St Kalu, St mgbeke, St Segun, St Bello etc.

THEY CAME

They came like any of us. They were born with original sin. The tendency to fall is in them all. They were born naturally like any other human being. They were all children of Adam and Eve.

They did not stop at coming naturally (being born naturally), they received a rebirth through the waters of baptism (the supernatural birth and bath). Thus, they were washed, and they put on new cloth in Christ, symbolized by the white corporal the minster of baptism shows to the newly baptized. That day, they were sanctified. They were ‘saintified’ as well. The question of where lies the difference between the saint and the sinner is what happens along the line after putting on the new cloak of baptism. The saints are not like the dog that goes off after bathing to roll itself in the sand or like the pig that showers only to dirt itself a little while after. The saints are always conscious of their coming through baptism and would not go back with any other cloak apart from the wedding garment in an unstained way. Are you washed? Are you in a clean state? Only the pure shall see God. Are you still moving with the child-like innocence you received when you came and when Christ came in you?

Some of them who, for no reason of theirs, were unable to receive baptism but lived in obedience to the will of God are in this company too.

THEY SAW

What did they see? The Gospel tells us what they saw. They saw poverty, sorrows, hunger and thirst, persecutions, and false accusations. These are the things we are confronted with on a daily basis.

What are you seeing now? What are you passing through now? Do you know that same things and even situations more difficult became a stepping stone to everlasting happiness for some saints of old instead of being the stumbling block the enemy of salvation desires? Saints become saints while alive. Your opportunity to become a saint expires the day you die. Thus we are invited to become living saints. We may say that those we call saints both the known and the unknown could not have made it if they were in our own generation. Who said so? Every generation is modern for those who live in it. Every generation has its own challenges. There is nothing new under the sun. We deceive ourselves when we think that the distractions of the evil one have superseded the attraction we should have for God and things of God. We tell ourselves lies when we believe that we can not overcome temptations. The saints are those who saw all these and battled them with a strong military spirit. In this battle we shall see hell, we may smell rod, we may bear the cross, we may feel God is far away, we may ask one or two cups to pass away, but in drinking them we achieve our goal. Jesus saw the cup, embraced it, and it was finished.

Sainthood is gotten by hard work. It demands courage. No matter what you’re seeing, my dear, assure yourself: I must make it. Yes! it may not be easy, but God is there to lighten every heavy load. Even in the case of martyrdom, for Christ’s sake, it is well with our soul. The joy that lies ahead is worth the sacrifice and whatever.

May what you see not make you not to see what you’re meant to see on the last day. Beatific vision; seeing God face to face is our target. May we be saints of our own generation no matter what our generation presents to us to see.

THEY CONQUERED

Alleluia! Here lies the Good News. These ordinary human beings, like the biblical David, with the catapult of grace, faith, and holiness, were able to disable and disarm as well as destroy the enemy of their salvation. They conquered did not mean that it was very easy. But with grace, they refused to be disgraced by sin and rather disgraced sin by virtue and righteousness. That they conquered did not mean that they were not bruised. They were at times wounded by sin, beaten to fall but they did not see the ground on which they fell as a place to remain, rather they took refuge under the mercy of God to tell the devil that he is a liar. My dear, you’re an eagle created to fly on the wings of virtue. Rise, take up your sword! Be the conqueror you’re created to be.

OUR JOY

We are rejoicing indeed that it ended in praise at last for our elder brothers and sisters in the faith, our saintly ancestors. We are celebrating our team members who have represented us well in the battle. We are proud that they were able to defeat. We jubilate that they are rewarded and celebrated in heaven. We rejoice because what we are they were and what they are we shall be by God’s grace and our ability to live in the state of grace till the last hour.

OUR PRAYER

We pray today as we partake in this same body and blood that served as a nourishment for the saints here, that through it we too may be strengthened as we journey to heaven where with all the saints we shall see God as He really is and have our tears wiped away with the joy of the beatific vision through Christ our Lord. Amen.

All saints, pray for us.

Happy Solemnity of All Saints.

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh