On All Saints' Day, Christians in South Africa and around the world reflect on their calling to holiness. Emmanuel Suntheni OSB, in his sermon on the Solemnity of All Saints, emphasized that every Christian is called to be holy. According to Suntheni, the path to sainthood begins with acknowledging one's sins and seeking God's mercy through repentance and confession. This call to holiness is rooted in the Scriptural readings of the day, which reveal God's divine plan for humanity.
The Scriptural readings for All Saints' Day, including Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14, Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, First John 3:1-3, and Matthew 5:1-12, provide a glimpse into the divine plan for humanity. The first reading from the Book of Revelation describes a glorious vision of life in Heaven, where a great number of people from every nation and race are gathered in the presence of God. This vision testifies to the existence of life after death and the possibility of sainthood.
In his sermon, Suntheni emphasized that being a saint is not just about being canonized, but about living a life of righteousness and justice. He noted that as God's children, Christians are called to be like Him in all things, walking in the path of righteousness and justice. St. Augustine's quote, "God is glorified in his saints, and that when he crowns their merits and rewards them, then God is crowning the gift of grace which he has put in their hearts," highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in guiding Christians on the path to holiness.
The Beatitudes, as detailed in the Gospel passage of Matthew 5:1-12, provide a living legacy for Christians to follow. The eight Beatitudes offer a guide for living a virtuous life, with Jesus praising those who have lived according to these principles. To be poor in spirit, for example, does not mean being physically or materially poor, but rather having a humble disposition and seeking God's love and fulfillment.
For South African Christians, commemorating All Saints' Day is an opportunity to reflect on their own call to holiness. As they honor the lives of saints and the righteous, they are reminded of their own responsibility to live according to the principles of justice, mercy, and purity. This reflection is particularly significant in a country with a rich history of faith and a strong Christian community.
The Catholic Church in South Africa, like other parts of the world, celebrates All Saints' Day on November 1st. However, some countries celebrate the Sunday of the week that All Saints' Day falls on. This day serves as a reminder of the connection between the living and the dead, and the hope of eternal life.
Ultimately, the call to holiness is a call to live a life of faith, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. As Christians in South Africa and around the world commemorate All Saints' Day, they are reminded of their own potential for sainthood and the importance of living a life of righteousness and justice.
Key points
- Every Christian is called to holiness, and the path to sainthood begins with acknowledging one's sins and seeking God's mercy through repentance and confession.
