All Saints Day

Today the Holy mother church celebrates the solemnity of All Saints Day. On
this day, we all of us are called to reflect over the life of saints and what they
teach for us.

Every race, language, people and nation produced saints. They play an
important role in the church especially in the growth of Christian faith.

They dared to give a strong witness for Christ by living a decent and an
extraordinary Christian way of life.

Today they are the people who are beholding the face of God, standing before
His Throne and participating in the heavenly banquet with thousands of angels
singing and worshiping him.

We all of us are called to Join in the spirit of saints, to rejoice in the presence of
God and to sing his praises.

Heb 12(22-23) is the reference sentence in the bible which clearly describes
about the life of saints.

“The city of living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem with its thousands of Angels,
You have come to the joyful gathering of God’s first born sons, whose names
are written in heaven.”

This description perfectly fits for the life of saints.

- Saints are the people who have reached the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, which is our true abode. That should be the goal
and destiny of every Christian. Let us not be satisfied with our earthly
home rather try to reach our true abode, the city of living God, The
heavenly Jerusalem.
- Saints are the people whose names are written in the heaven. Let no
Christian be satisfied with the enrolment of his or her name in the books
of baptismal records rather let them aim at writing their names in the
book of heaven or life.
- Saints are considered to be God’s first born people, standing in the
presence of God with thousands of Angels singing and worshiping Him.
Rev 7 (9-12) also describes about the life of saints.

“After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd- no one could count
all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation and language and
they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes
and holding palm branches in their hands. They called out in a loud voice:
Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb.”
All the angels stood around the throne, the elders and the four living
creatures. Then they threw themselves face downwards in front of the
throne and worshiped God, saying “Amen! Prise, glory, wisdom,
thanksgiving, honour, power and might belong to our God forever and ever,
Amen. “

- They are the people who dressed in white robe and holding the palm of
victory in their hands, worshiping and parsing Him.
- They are the people who have washed their robes with the blood of the
Lamb and now made them white.
- They are the people who pleased God and now they share in his glory.
- Once upon a time, they have suffered hunger and thirst and now they
are satisfied
- Once upon a time, they have laboured and struggled and now they enjoy
eternal rest with God.
- Once upon a time they have humbled themselves to the glory of God
and now they are honoured/venerated to the heights of heaven.
- Once upon a time, like all of us, they were standing before the alter
of the Lord and now they stand before the throne of God with
multitude of angles singing and worshiping him.

They are two types of saints in Heaven. 1) Canonized (known) and 2)

Uncanonized (unknown) saints.

Canonized saints: we venerated them because of their extraordinary way

of life.
 - They witnessed a life of holiness
- They lived also a life of prayer and penance in austerity by going to
desert places. They went to the desert places, not that they have
hatred towards society and humans but to remain alone with God and
to have God experience.
- They loved God more than anything else in the world. Take the
example of St. Catherine of Siena. When she was offered a choice by
our Lord between the crown of Roses and the crown of the thrones,
she chose at once the crown of thrones. She would have not
committed the least sin by choosing the crown of roses. And she
replied that “Roses are lovely, but i would fell silly when my Lord
chose the crown of thrones”.
- They too loved the children of God so much. They are fully convinced
that they were born to love others and hence they lived to love and
die to love more. Take the example of St Peter Claver who worded
among the black slaves in South America in the 17
th
century. He
washed their faces and bodies.
In our time we have St Mother Theresa, who left her mark on the
history of our century. She served every human being with dignity and
respect. She was a shining example of charity and unceasing service
to the poor. Her holiness is not dull because she has lot of love
towards to the poor.
- They lived a life of Beatitudes Mt 5 (3-11). Eight beatitudes are eight
keys through which we can enter ourselves in the kingdom of heaven.

Uncanonised saints: We venerate today the uncanonised saints who

are now in heaven. They were ordinary men and women like us, who lived
and loved, worked and played, struggled, succeeded and failed in their daily
works, but they are in heaven now because they made every effort while on
earth to be holy by following the teachings of Christ to which they have
made baptismal commitment. Among them, let us not forget, could be
members of our own families. In this respect, today, we venerate also those
who are still living on earth but making every effort to live out their Christian
faith to become holy.

We all have a calling to become saints. We cannot be content with placing

a statue of a saint in the church rather we ourselves become saints in the
church. The destiny of a Christian is not happiness nor health, but holiness.
God is not an eternal blessing machine for us; he did come to save us out
of pity; he came to save us because he created us to be holy.

Being a saint is not pleasure but pain, to be honest; to live out our
baptismal commitment day after day could be a living martyrdom.

The Difference between Knowledge and Wisdom-Wisdom 6(12-16)

There is difference between knowledge and wisdom. Both are not same.

Knowledge means knowing of new elements or aspects which are not

known to us. It is the work of the mind alone which studies deeper into the
realities of things and knows its nature and its being.

Wisdom, on the other hand, it is not only knowing the new elements or
aspects which are unknown to us rather it is beyond it. It is not only the
work of the mind alone rather it is the work of the heart and the spirit which
decides to follow thoroughly and ultimately what is found.

An example for clarity between knowledge and wisdom

A genius who has the knowledge, can turn his/her talents in evil manners
such as hacking the bank accounts, forge-ring the cheques and stealing.

But a man filled with wisdom, will not lead his life in evil manner rather he
lives his life in conformity to the ways of heaven. Wisdom is not the growth
of human genius rather it is an outcome from heaven or a gift from above
or God.

If we lack knowledge we can go to school or college to learn it. But if we

lack wisdom we have to go to God only. No school or college can give
wisdom. God is the giver of wisdom. King Solomon, when he was asked by
the lord what do u want? He could have very well preferred kingdom, long
life, crown, wealth, women, and protection from enemies, gold and luxuries
of the world. But he preferred wisdom to the rule the people in the spirit of
the God.

Wisdom is same as the Will of God:

Wisdom is none other than the will of God. If you know the will of God, it
means you are having God’s wisdom. It is there always at the door of our
life. What we need to do is that open the door of our faith. It will enter in
and bless our life.

Wisdom is same as the presence of Jesus

Wisdom is none other than the presence of Jesus and his action in our life
that “I abide in you and you abide in me”. Wisdom makes us to see
presence of God and his action in every instant of our life.

Wisdom is same as the power of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom is none other than the power of the Holy Spirit which makes us to
know the truth and reveals the revelation.
 Christ the King

-Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates the solemnity of Christ the King
feast, which reveals the truth that Christ is the King of the universe.

-Thus the church believes and proclaims that everything on this earth and
under the earth and in the skies must be placed under his rule and reign.

-Therefore we are all invited to this Eucharistic celebration not merely to

believe in the person of Jesus Christ as the Lord and King but to live his
life, words, values, commandments, attitudes and requirements of his rule
and reign.

-The church offers this feast at the end of the Liturgical year, that is, on the
last Sunday of Ordinary time; the reason is this - We have got now the
complete and perfect picture of the person of Jesus Christ after listening and
reflection over his life and ministry from nativity to death and resurrection. It
is our turn and duty to accept and acknowledge him as the Lord and the
King and placing all our life under his rule and reign.

Christ is the Real King

-we have seen kings and kingships in the history books. Jesus kingship is
different from worldly kingship.

- Worldly kings have shown power, authority and domination over the
subjects even to the extent of manipulating for their wishes to be
fulfilled. But Jesus kingship has shown not power, authority and
domination but service,
- Worldly kings have killed the lives of the people. Jesus kingship
saved the humanity from their sins and fallen nature.
- Worldly kings were self-interested, proud, egoistic, zealous and
working for their own glory. But Jesus the King died for the sins of
humanity.
 - Worldly kings and kingship is not permanent( British ruled India for
300 years, Mugals empire ruled india for 150 years and Alexander the
great conquered the whole world but nobody or no dynasty is existing
now). Jesus as King of the universe is permanent and he lives
forever and ever. I and you may die, but his rule and reign will not
perish.

Therefore Jesus is the real king of Universe.

It is also very clear when we see his life in the gospel.

- When he commanded the devils to go out from the people, they

obeyed him.
- When he commanded the dead Lazarus to be raised from the dead,
he came back to life.
- When he commanded the wind and see to calm down, they obeyed
him.

Therefore Jesus is the real king of universe. He has come not destroy
rather to save us from darkness and to give life abundantly, and to give
forgiveness of sins too.

1 Reading Ezekiel 34(11-12, 15-17)

st

- Here prophet Ezekiel demonstrates God as the shepherded and King.

- In those days Kings/Rulers are called to be the shepherds of the
people.
- Here, prophet Ezekiel brings out to images of shepherds.
1. The image of the False shepherds (1 part)
st

2. The Image of the Good shepherds (2

nd
part)

Here, he also brings out the deeds and actions of the Good shepherds.
 1
st
- Task is to search for the sheep and find it. It is very clear in
Jesus life that (LK 19) “I have come to seek and save the lost”.
2
nd
- Task is to gather the sheep under one sheepfold. It is very clear
in Jesus life that (John 3) “ when i am lifted up, i will gather all the
people to myself”.
3
rd
- Task is to save the sheep from undesirable conditions. It is clear
in Jesus life that (John 10) “I have come not to destroy but to give
life abundantly”.
4
th
- Task is feeding the sheep with good pasture. It is very clear in
Jesus life that (John 6) “I am the living bread from heaven. If anyone
eats my body and drinks my blood will have eternal life”.
5
th
- task is to give them the necessary rest and make them to be at
peace and tranquillity. It is very clear in Jesus life that (Mt 11:28)
“come to me all that are labored and heavy burden, I will give you
rest.
 Vows (Poverty, Obedience and Celibacy)

The religious vows can be regarded as a protest against the dominant

culture of our time. Let me explain.

Vow of Poverty:

Globalization and Global capitalism has put before us a serious choice: God
or money. It has made Money as god and the making of money. People
put their trust in money for everything not in God. They think that having
money we can do anything and everything.

Jesus has made it quite clear: “You cannot serve God and Wealth” (Mt
6:24).

By the vow of poverty demands that we make a clear choice for God and
put all our trust in him.. A radical living of the vow of poverty can make the
religious life a counter-cultural movement. But if the religious were to amass
a lot of wealth and rely on money and power, they would have no message
for people today.

- But there is a growing money-mindedness in the religious that no

transparency and accountability in handling of common projects and
accounts.
- Serious cases of financial mismanagement

Vow of Chastity:

- In a pleasure-loving world which glorifies the sex, the religious take

the vow of chastity which is a total and selfless commitment to God’s
unconditional love for us and for the whole of creation. The vow of
chastity prompts us to love the entire universe.
 - It also asks us to deal with all the beings (animate and inanimate) –
plants, animals and humans tenderly and affectionately.

In the world today, there is a lot of pain and suffering inflicted not only on
humans but also on animals and plants. Harm and damage is done to the
inanimate creation by the humans. Humankind seems to have lost the true
chastity that is the ability to love and show concern to the inanimate
creation. That is why we find in our hearts lot of cruelty and violence.

True chastity demands of us that we interact with creation gently and

tenderly. We need to develop in us a brotherly/sisterly love for the plants,
the animals and humans. We need to renounce all violence and cruelty in
thought, word and deed and raise our voice in protest against every form of
cruelty and violence inflicted on any one of God’s creature. Such a life is a
true ecological wisdom.

Crisis of the Vow of Chastity:

- The vow of chastity is a total and selfless commitment to love. It is

meant to enable the religious to become a warm and loving person.
Unfortunately, many religious do not really grow in the living of their
vow of chastity. They have become dry bachelors/spinsters with no
love in their hearts.

Nor they have developed a healthy attitude to their own sexuality, which is a
precious gift of God. Some of them tend to abuse women and children
sexually. Many of the priests both secular and religious do not show any
respect for the dignity of women. They tend to exploit the women employers.

Some superiors of women congregations have expressed their serious

disappointments with priests that they do not relate well with the sisters and
do not pastorally deal with situations.
Vow of Obedience:

- In its root meaning obedience is a call to listen to the Will/Word of

God and respond to it (Rom 1:5). But religious obedience is a
commitment to a community search for the will of God.
- It is based on the conviction that there is something better than
freedom in individual isolation. And that is communion in love which is
freely chosen, which is fostered through dialogue, discernment and
participative decision-making. Thus Obedience is a radical rejection of
the quest for unlimited independence which can lead to narrow
individualism and self-centeredness.
- It is a free choice of interdependence and solidarity.
- Obedience is also a conscious response to every attempt to exercise
control over domination, power and authority. Such an understanding
of obedience demands a radical rethinking of authority, power and
domination. The understanding and exercise of authority in the
religious life should be a radical protest against the abuse of power
and authority in the church and the secular society.

Crisis of Obedience:

Obedience has become a serious problem in many religious

congregations.

- Defiance of superiors, refuse to accept transfers or unwillingness to

carry out the commands of superiors
- The abuse of power and authority by the superiors(misuse of power)
- Superiors doing what they want rather than building the community
- Many superiors fear criticism and challenge, and feel threatened by
persons who think differently.
According to George M. Soares-Prabhu, in his book “Prophetic Dimension
of Religious life” says that Religious poverty is not just an individual’s
renunciation of possessions, but the sharing that creates a community of
sharing. Celibacy is not just the individual renunciation of marriage and
family, but the unrestricted love which fashions a community capable of
loving. Obedience is not just the renunciation of one self-will, the
commitment of God’s will that enables a community to make common cause
for the kingdom.

It is also important to stress the interconnectedness of the three vows. All

the vows go together. You cannot live a contradiction in one area and be
coherent in the others.

Each Vow has Three Dimensions.

1. The Mystical Dimension

2. The Apostolic/Societal Dimension
3. The Communitarian Dimension
1. The Mystical Dimension:
It is a specific experience of God that enables one to take the vows.
For example, it is an experience of God’s unconditional love for me
and his call to me that makes me to take the vow of chastity.
2. The Apostolic/societal dimension:
Vowed life in community is our way of fulfilling our mission. Let me
illustrate with the vow of poverty. Today we live in a world where
material wealth is a cause of division among the human beings
(between the rich and the poor). We dream of a new world where
material wealth will be a source of communion among the people
 through generous sharing. Our vow of poverty is a vow of gratuitous
sharing of all that I am and all that I have.
3. The Communitarian Dimension
Every vow has implications for the community. It is not something
strange to the religious.

1. Religious are called to be a Sign of Hope for Humankind.

In the world, everywhere we see human relationships are breaking up.
But the religious communities are building up the communities by
sharing and living their life in community with one another. Though we
see people in the religious communities different in their personalities,
in their family and ethnic backgrounds, in their talents, in their human
qualities and can live together in peace and harmony. It is an
assurance for every human being to be related to one another.

2. Religious are called be the Agents of Communion

At a time of growing individualism in the world, the religious are
meant to be agents of communion.
- According to Vatican II, the church is a communion- a communion of
people with God and with one another.
- It is a community of faith, hope and charity (LG 9).
- It is meant to be a brotherly-sisterly community of mutual service (GS
32).
- Jesus in the gospel insisted so much on love for one another.
-
3. Religious are the people who are passionately committed to a
search for God.
Their God’s experience can be an inspiration and a guide to those
who hunger for God’s experience