"This Could Be Your Feast Day" | All Saints Day (Fr. Mike's Homily) #allsaintsday

Sundays with Ascension

1 Nov 202315:25

Summary

TLDRIn a heartfelt reflection on the Feast of All Saints, the speaker emphasizes that saints are not defined by their perfection, but by their surrender to God's love, including their flaws and mistakes. Drawing from Scripture, he reassures listeners that everyone is called to be a saint, highlighting that it is God’s grace that transforms us. The speaker shares personal anecdotes, illustrating the communal support of saints and the ongoing journey of faith, ultimately reminding us that one day, we too will be celebrated as saints, not for our perfection, but for our relationship with God.

Takeaways

😀 Saints are not perfect individuals; they are flawed like everyone else.
😀 Being called a saint comes from being a child of God, not from a lack of imperfections.
😀 Surrendering all aspects of life, including flaws and sins, qualifies one to be a saint.
😀 The title of 'saint' is a recognition of God's grace and not personal perfection.
😀 Through baptism, individuals are set apart and recognized as saints in God's eyes.
😀 Just as teachers may give all students an 'A' to start, God grants us grace to live as saints.
😀 God's love is unconditional; He loves us not despite our sins but because of our need for Him.
😀 The community of saints supports and intercedes for us in our spiritual journeys.
😀 Every saint, known or unknown, is celebrated for their acceptance of God's grace.
😀 One day, each individual will have their own feast day as a saint, recognized for surrendering their life to God.

Q & A

What is the main message of the homily regarding sainthood?
-The main message is that saints are not defined by their perfection but by their willingness to surrender their flaws and sins to God.
How does the speaker reference the biblical text from 1 John?
-The speaker cites 1 John 3, highlighting that God's love allows us to be called His children, emphasizing our identity in Christ.
What examples of saints does the speaker provide?
-The speaker mentions several saints, including Mother Teresa, John Paul II, St. Augustine, and St. Teresa of Avila, to illustrate that they were holy despite their imperfections.
What does the speaker mean by saying that saints 'carry their flaws throughout life'?
-The speaker suggests that saints acknowledge their imperfections and may struggle with them throughout their lives, but they continue to seek God's grace.
How does baptism relate to the concept of being a saint?
-Baptism is described as a transformative act that sets individuals apart as saints, not because they are perfect, but because they belong to God.
What analogy does the speaker use to explain how God views our flaws?
-The speaker compares God's view of our flaws to a teacher who gives students an 'A' to start with, symbolizing God's grace and acceptance despite our shortcomings.
What role do the saints play in supporting those on earth?
-The saints are described as intercessors who cheer us on and pray for us, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.
How does the speaker relate the Ironman race to the journey of faith?
-The Ironman race serves as a metaphor for life’s challenges, illustrating how support from others and perseverance can help us reach the finish line in our faith journey.
What does the speaker imply about the relationship between sin and God's love?
-The speaker implies that God loves us not in spite of our sins but because of our need for Him, emphasizing His grace in our lives.
What is the significance of the Feast of All Saints according to the speaker?
-The Feast of All Saints celebrates not only recognized saints but also unknown saints, encouraging us to aspire to sainthood by fully surrendering to God's will.