All Saints Day

Today we celebrate All Saints Day. We thank God for the many men and women, young and old, who through their lives showed us how to strive towards holiness. Some of us, perhaps, may think that we are just not good enough or capable enough to become a saint. The point is, we are all called to become saints in different ways. Perhaps a reading of Hebrews 12 would help.

If we read Hebrews 12, we would discover from the beginning that " since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us; while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith." We are also reminded that "for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges. Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?" The saints are the great cloud of witnesses who are surrounding us, cheering us on, encouraging us. On our part, we need to:

1. Rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us

2.  Persevere in running the race

3.  Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus

4.  Endure your trials as “discipline”

Are we able to go forth and strive towards holiness and be saints with God's help? Or are we still dwelling in self-pity, refusing to let our loving God transform us?