(See the readings for the Solemnity of All Saints)
The jouney has an end. Several works of great literature use the theme of a journey to reflect on life, usually dealing with the growing sense of self awareness in the main character/s.
The protagonist encounters different people, situations, and lands along the way that represent something new or challenging. They cannot stay aloof as observers but have to engage, one way or the other, which reflects their own development within the stories. Some examples of these are “The Odyssey” from ancient Greece (recently made into a movie), “The Divine Comedy,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “The Lord of the Rings.”
The purpose of the journey, however, is not just the journey itself. The inner transformation that takes place within the protagonists serves to assist them in getting to their goal, the “end,” to which they journey.
This Sunday we observe the Solemnity of All Saints. We celebrate the victorious end of the journey for all the faithful who have gone before us and are now living eternally with God in heaven.
The feast is one of triumph. For the saints, the struggles of this world, which every human being has to face, are over. The journey is complete, and the saints have arrived at the end, heaven.
St. Matthew’s account of the Beatitudes serves as the Gospel reading for Sunday’s liturgy. Each blessing offers a promise, a resolution for the faithful follower of Christ. All involve either the pursuit of something good but demanding; or situations in life that are challenging and need perseverance, patience and long-suffering.
Jesus promises that the rewards will be great in heaven. He is the forerunner and witness to that victory and the reward. He suffered and died, and three days later rose from the dead. The Beatitudes help motivate us to faithfulness – even in trying times.
The first reading from the Book of Revelation celebrates that faithfulness. Sometimes reading passages such as this from Revelation is difficult because of the heavy symbolism. It is helpful to have a good commentary handy when challenged by the images. The “seal” represents a “mark” or “imprint” placed on the faithful. This identifies them as faithful followers of Christ. In this symbolic story, it may also be an image of baptism.
Related to this is an allusion to the Passover where the door posts were marked with the blood of the lamb. The number of those “marked” to be saved is 144,000. Please do not take this literally (as some groups have done in the past).
The number is calculated from 12 times 12 (twelve denoting perfection or completion) times 1,000. The “12” represents the 12 tribes of Israel (at the time of Revelation’s writing, the Church was still considered part of the redeemed Israel). The 1,000 is a number that represents a large number of people. Taken together the 144,000 represent what is referred to in other places as a “great multitude,” in other words, an uncountable or immeasurable group.
The vision quickly shifts to that of the heavenly court where those who were sealed – in other words those who had been faithful, “a great multitude which no one could count” – are now before the throne of the Lamb (Christ). They come from every “nation, race, people and tongue.” Clothed in their white garments they worship the King: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”
In the end, one of the elders identifies these people as “the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.” Apocalyptic literature, of which Revelation is a part, is generally written to a people facing persecution; such may be the case here.
The images remind them of the victory in which they will share because of their faithfulness. That victory will wipe away the suffering and pain, injuries will be healed, and they will live in joy, peace and love because they are in the presence of God.
The second reading from 1 John opens with: “Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are.” Through baptism we are united with the one Son of God, Jesus. Through union with Him in baptism we become “children of God.”
St. John’s words remind us that it is through His love that this is possible. He loves us so much that he sends His Son so that He might make us His children. The author also points to the future when we shall see God face to face or “see Him as He is.”
Our journey in life is toward this state where we will be in His presence and find everything we need, and at that point, want in life. Love will reach its fulfillment. Our journey through life has the goal of being with God in heaven. The journey, like those of the saints who have gone before us, is one of love leading to Love.
The continual transformation that takes place within our hearts prepares us for being in God’s presence. Faithfulness in times of struggle, sorrow, grief, pain or persecution help form us into the image of the Lamb who was slain, who now reigns supreme.
All Saint’s Day reminds us of the victory that is shared by our loved ones and all the faithful who have preceded us. Their witness encourages us to continue on the journey, to persevere and to travel in hope until we reach the journey’s end, heaven.
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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of St. Dorothy Parish in Drexel Hill and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Read more reflections by Msgr. Prior here.
The post All Saints Day Points to End of Our Life’s Journey: Heaven’s Eternal Love appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
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