“We, though many, are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them…” (ROM 12: 5-6)
Fortunately, we need each other because we are not complete; we “are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another.” With “the grace given to us,” we can use our “gifts that differ,” and together we can do much, much more. Looking for the common good, we can grow in our unity, taking care not only of our mission, but also of our relationship.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” (JN 6: 40)
After the Solemnity of All Saints, we celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls), and the Church gives us today a variety of readings connected with the three Masses which every priest can celebrate today as a privilege and … as a sign of the Church’s understanding of the not to be underestimated role of the Holy Mass in support of Souls. “This is the will of my Father,… that everyone… may have eternal life.” Every Mass (not only today) makes present the death of Jesus for our salvation: “I shall raise him on the last day.”
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: ‘Blessed are…’” (MT 5: 1-11)
Our Lord totally changes perspectives for all kinds of situations generally recognized as bad situations. The Bible uses the word makarios (gr.) which means fortunate or lucky rather than blessed. Our Lord turns around the entire perspective. How often we can see only the other side of the tapestry–full of knots, short threads, a mishmash of colors—it generally looks like a mess. Only God looks from the right perspective—“He went up to the mountain,” and can see the beauty of the tapestry, and only He has the authority to say what is good and what is bad.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“…when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (LK 14: 10-11)
The good thing with “the lowest place” is that you know your limits. Starting from this position, you have two options: you can just stay there “contemplating” your minor position or “move up to a higher position.” Humbleness means: I know very well my limits and my weaknesses, but I know even better the unlimited power of God’s invitation. “When you are invited,” start with the truth about you and your situation, and then let Our Lord help you “move up to a higher position.” The initiative is on His side. Not yours, His!
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“‘Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?’ But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him.” (LK 14: 3-4)
How often this world “keeps silent,” when we need to stay courageously on the side of human suffering. It could be using IVF instead of taking care of a couple and helping them with a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, prescribing contraception rather than teaching them the beauty of a woman’s cycle, like giving someone a sweater instead of a sandwich when they are hungry.
“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? As it is written:
For your sake we are being slain all the day; we are looked upon as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.” (ROM 8: 35-37)
“The love of Christ” is stronger than anything else in this world, and no “anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword” can separate us from His love. And it is always about Him and His love and not about us and our ability to love. He always expects from us the best, but He is the One who makes this love possible and consistent.
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles.” (LK 6: 13)
Our Lord “chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,” and these Twelve are the foundation stones in the Church. Their mission was to preach the word of God, but more important was that they were to be very close to Jesus: “He called his disciples to himself.”
“We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.” (ROM 8: 24-25)
Someone called the three virtues—faith, hope and love—sisters. And the smallest one, in the middle of the two big ones, is hope. But she is the one who leads her bigger sisters. Neither love nor faith can help when there is no hope, who gives us strength to “wait with endurance.”
“Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, ‘Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.’ He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God.” (LK 13: 11-13)
We are watched, but not by law enforcement, speeding cameras or spy satellites. We are watched carefully by God, Who is Love and wants to “lay his hands on us,” on our weaknesses and limitations. He wants us “standing erect,” full of dignity and respect for God: “she at once stood up straight and glorified God.”
“Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.” (Gospel Acclamation)
“Jesus said to him in reply, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.” (MK 10: 51-52)
This is a very ironic situation: a blind man sees Jesus’ messianic identity more clearly than most people in Mark’s Gospel. Bartimaeus gives us a simple lesson: 1. if you are in a desperate need—call Jesus loudly; you will meet a lot of obstacles, but don’t give up. 2. Be focused on the answer—He will call you; be ready to leave your old sin habits, “throw aside your cloak.” 3. Be very specific—in front of Jesus name what you really need, “Master, I want to see.” 4. Be ready to leave your old life and open for a new life—“follow Him on the way.”
“Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.” (Gospel Acclamation)
