Solemnity of all Saints

 Introduction.

In the latest issues of several tabloid magazines, several tutorials are promoted in our country: a guide to get rich quickly, learn a foreign language or lose weight. Some stumble upon this announcement, except for a small percentage; they are all disappointed. Today we will say to ourselves: holiness, holiness; we will very quickly find out in ourselves that believing Christians are not interested in the content of these words. Now, when I want to point out to you a guide on becoming a saint, and I am aware of the psychological moment of disinterest, I would like to ask you for a moment of concentration and a little interest. Let’s try to pay attention to Jesus for a few minutes.

Sermon.

In today’s gospel, Jesus says nine times, “Blessed…”

Imagine Jesus sitting at a slight elevation of 150 meters above Lake Genezaret, less than a kilometer away from Jesus in the air, surrounded by disciples and a crowd of people. The view from this elevation of the lake and the surrounding area is fantastic. Jesus sees in the behavior of His listeners the joy of what they see. This is what Jesus will use to present the listeners with one more panorama, much more beautiful and necessary for life. Jesus begins to speak his programmatic speech, which appeals to all his followers until the end. Jesus’ Beatitudes will become a measure of reward for eternal life. According to the deeds, each person will be rewarded or punished once. Jesus knows what He is asking for is severe and difficomplexer. However, he is not one of those teachers who want to win over pupils with flattering words. He has already said, “Whoever desires to follow me, let him deny himself, let him take up his cross, and let him follow me” (Lk 9:23). However, to those who choose to put his words into practice everyday life, he promises something here on the Mount of the Beatitudes. We translate the word “blessed” into a specific speech with the word “happy.” Jesus uses the plural “happy.” He thinks of all the people for whom He came to die, and we can all be saved. All. That is, no one in his love stands aside. However, Jesus requires our initiative. To give him an answer such that our circumstances coincide with his will. To do the will of God and not his own. Those who seek to do the will of God in this way will be happy. What if, precisely in what, the world will condemn and not accept even those who believe in Jesus? It will not immediately be pleasant, simple, and straightforward.
The Beatitudes of Jesus are an accurate guide to happiness, not only here on earth that we will be aware of the fulfillment of the will of God, but also a guarantee of reward in eternity.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3).
The world is afraid not only of material but also of spiritual poverty. The world is ashamed of poverty. And Jesus recommends it. Let us remember where Jesus was born and how He lived and died. The poverty in his life is evident. But He will say to His first disciples, “The foxes have their hiding places, and the birds of heaven have their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to bow his head” (Mt 8:20; Lk 9:58). Jesus set an example for us. And this is what Saint Francis of Assyria understood in his time. He fell in love with poverty. Even the Pope did not understand this in 1206 when Francis asked him for permission to practice perfect evangelical poverty. Behold, a guide to happiness.

“Blessed are the weeping, for they shall be pleased” (Mt 5:4).
The world is ashamed of its tears. The world says that tears are a sign of weakness. Jesus is of the opposite opinion. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Is this also a sign of weakness? Not! Jesus loved this city. Jesus praises a woman who was a sinner, and in the house of the Pharisee, “… she began to soak his feet with tears, and wiped them with her hair, kissing them, and smearing them with fragrant oil” (Lk 7:38). Jesus stood up for her.

“Blessed are silent, for they shall be heirs of the earth” (Mt 5:5).
The world teaches you to shout: You must be t; you must use your fists and wide elbows to be happy. Jesus says. “Take upon you my yoke and learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your soul” (Mt 11:29). Behold, the guide of happiness. At the age of 15, Teresa of Lisieux, with the bishop’s permission, goes to the Carmelite monastery to save souls and pray for the priests in silence and solitude with her life. She died at 24 from tuberculosis on September 30, 1897. She died happily and could conquer the world by the opposite of what the world advises—love in silence in prayer. Today we worship her as the patroness of missions and depict her sowing flowers.

“Blessed are lazy and thirsty for righteousness, for they shall be full” (Mt 5:6).
The motto of ancient Rome: “Carpe diem!” – “Enjoy the day!” Where is his glory today? Before choosing his first disciples, Jesus goes into the desert’s silence and feels hunger and thirst (cf. Mt 4:2). Mortification in food and drink is a well-known ascetic practice proven in spiritual progression. Saint Anthony the Abbot and Hermit enter our consciences. According to the counsel of the Gospel, he gave possessions to the poor and became a hermit. For almost ninety years, he has been living in strict renunciation. Today we forget the example and heroic life of our patrons, who lived with the same body as us but were not slaves of the body.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7).
Brutality, violence, power, and money reign in the world. Precisely the opposite of what Jesus teaches in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when He also recommends to us, “Go and do likewise!” (Lk 10:37). We can see this challenge throughout the history of the Church. Before his death, Saint Lawrence gathers the treasure of the Church — cripples and the sick. It will show to whom the Church gives its treasures. In the Middle Ages, the father of mercy, Vincent de Paul, lived and worked. It was rumored that more money passed through his hands for the needy than the French banks had together at that time. In this century, it is the well-known Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Behold, mercy in practice.

“Blessed are the pure of heart” (Mt 5:8).
The world tramples on cleanliness. Clean is sold, traded, and destroyed before it matures. Jesus does not condemn a woman caught in adultery. Still, He tells her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more” (Jn 8:11). Margaret Kortonskaya has been living for nine years in a sinful relationship with her lover. However, he changes his life when he sees his dead and decomposing body. And today, we do not know her as a sinner but as a saint. Cleanliness still has its place today. Even today, many know how to cherish and admire her.

“Blessed are those who spread peace, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9).
Weapons rule the world. There is talk of the need and value of peace, and almost every nation with a developed industry wants to make money on weapons. Jesus, when He first meets the Apostles after His Resurrection, greets them: “Peace be upon you” (Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19). Young Dominik Savio convinces the world of the greatness of peace in heart and soul with the words: – How beautiful it is to be a saint! – When he dies, he wakes up for a moment and says to his father: – Daddy, prays! Oh, what beautiful things I see! – The world needs John Paul II! Who said that? Secretary-General Butrus Gali when answered a question to journalists about who, he thought, should receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Blessed are they persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:10).

Even today, fundamental human rights are not preserved. Even today, people are persecuted and imprisoned for what is rightfully theirs. Jesus knew what hatred was, what it was in the courtyard of Pilate: “Crucify! Crucify him!” (Lk 23:21).

Many martyrs and confessors of the Church suffered and died because they wanted to enrich their tormentors and murderers.

Today we remember all those who are known and unknown to us, who already have their reward. This is the son or daughter, husband or wife, brother or sister who has achieved the prize promised to all who endure to the end in faithfulness to Jesus. So it is ready for us too. And today, at this celebration, God asks us what we have perhaps never said in our lives, or were afraid to say, or did not want to say: God, in full consciousness and freedom, I say: I want to be holy!

God is inviting us. God is happy that we have responded to the invitation in this way. Our answer is enjoyed by those who already know the state of bliss. Let us part today with the resolution to persevere in our good intention for the rest of our lives.