Sunday Says Podcast – November 1, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection

November 1, 2015

Solemnity of All Saints

Lectionary: 667 (NAB Translation)

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We celebrate the great Solemnity of All Saints this Sunday.

Reading 1
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14

In this week’s first reading we hear an apocalyptic passage of the great witnesses that have gone before us. We hear of how the ones that are near the throne of God spend their time in worship of the Living God, and we hear them refer to Jesus as the Lamb. We also hear the Divine Justice of God that saves those that have endured great persecution and even martyrdom.

The book of Revelation can often be seen as scary or intimidating, but we hear the great hope it offers us in our anticipation of our greater union to the Lord in heaven.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6

1. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Reading 2
1 John 3:1-3

The second reading from the first letter of St John is a clear definition of the hope we have as we await the return of our Bridegroom. We know that seeking holiness is often a lonely path in our secular world, and that we will likely endure plenty of suffering and challenges. We can find assurance that the are never alone, even in our earthly isolation, we know that He has not left us. In the end, that’s why we were created – to be in union with Our Lord.

Alleluia Matthew 11:28

1. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,

and I will give you rest, says the Lord.

 

Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12A

This week’s Gospel from St. Matthew seems almost too simple to be the featured reading for the festival of All Saints. We hear the familiar recitation of the beatitudes.

This is a wonderful reminder that we often over-complicate the path to sanctity.

Can it really be so simple to become a saint?

Yes.

We can trust that Jesus is a man of His word, and we must follow the path He set for us. If we keep our focus and faith, then we can be confident that we too will share in the glories of heaven.

 

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Gospel Meditation from Bishop Vásquez

Reflection question

Saints are those who have experienced a profound encounter with God and who have committed to following the Lord Jesus. Saints embody the Gospel, the good news of God’s love. The Beatitudes list ways of holy living. God encounters us in our daily lives. God has invited us to holiness – to be saints. When does my life not reflect the Beatitudes? How can I spend more time with the Lord to learn to recognize his voice?