Solemnity of All
Saints
(Revelation 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a)
A distinguished attorney is asked, “Who is the most
important person in the courtroom (to assure justice).” Perhaps it is the judge who sees that due
process is followed. Or maybe it is the
collective members of the jury who decide guilt or innocence. Or possibly it is the defense lawyer who must
investigate his client’s case and persuade the jury. But the man after decades as prosecutor,
judge, and defense attorney responds surprisingly. He believes the most important person in a
courtroom is a reliable witness. Such a
person’s truthfulness and conviction bring about justice.
We can define saints as reliable witnesses to Jesus. Their faith, holiness, and integrity witness
to the primacy of the gospel and the efficacy of his grace. Their words and actions provide testimony
that Jesus has risen to support his followers.
The Church has officially declared only seven thousand or
so saints. But this number hardly
indicates all the people throughout Christianity who have lived the
beatitudes. Today we celebrate the millions
of un-proclaimed saints. Their number
includes slaves and slave-owners, people of every continent and even of
different religions. All of us have
known people whose words and actions gave reliable witness to Jesus.
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