Today we observe the Solemnity of All Saints. On such a day we contemplate that “great multitude” spoken of in the Book of Revelation. Such a glimpse emphasizes that sainthood is not restricted to a select few, such as those who have been formally canonized by name, but also includes those now in Heaven whose names we don't know (members of our family and friends).
This celebration causes us to reflect upon the universal call to holiness. Heaven is populated in the words of Revelation by “every nation, race, people, and tongue.” In other words, Heaven is populated by ordinary people from all walks of life who have chosen to accept this universal call to holiness. Through such a pursuit they died in the state of grace and were judged as worthy.
We are told that these are the people “who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.” In other words, their holiness does not come from self for it comes from being washed, redeemed, and transformed by Christ’s sacrifice.
The saints are not in heaven because they were flawless on their own strength; they are there because they allowed themselves to be forgiven, cleansed, and transformed in Christ’s mercy. Such a transformation is not reserved to clergy, monks, or nuns alone. We are all being invited to undergo such a transformation because such a transformation is necessary for heaven.
We are told in 1 Timothy, “This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.” This is the desire that God has that we choose to turn our life towards Him and undergo that transformation that points towards such salvation. We have been invited to be numbered among the saints by how we choose to live and order our lives.
The saints, who have gone before us had their own crosses just like each of us. They underwent grief, temptation, persecution, doubt, and physical suffering and yet God’s grace allowed them to be carried through until the end. Their “white robe” is a sign of God’s fidelity and not of their human perfection.
We must notice that these robes were “washed” and not “given.” Salvation is an offer of grace, but grace requires a response. It demands of us repentance, faith, and active cooperation with God. If we are to survive “the time of great distress” we also must treat our faith with such urgency for if not, we risk hearing those words, “I never knew you” and being cast out.
May all the saints intercede for us this day that we may heed the universal call to holiness that has been extended to us. There is great urgency that we embrace such a call and participate with God’s grace in order to undergo daily transformation. This daily transformation is seen in how we live out the Beatitudes- choosing meekness, mercy, and purity over the demands of the world.
All the saints of Heaven, pray for us.
