The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, The Solemnity of All Saints, invite us to be grateful as children of God, as we renew our mission as “Beatitude People”.
The Reading from the Book of Revelation presents the Triumph of the Elect.
* [7:4–9] One hundred and forty-four thousand: the square of twelve (the number of Israel’s tribes) multiplied by a thousand, symbolic of the new Israel (cf. Rev 14:1–5; Gal 6:16; Jas 1:1) that embraces people from every nation, race, people, and tongue (Rev 7:9).
* [7:5–8] Judah is placed first because of Christ; cf. “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Rev 5:5). Dan is omitted because of a later tradition that the antichrist would arise from it.
* [7:9] White robes,palm branches: symbols of joy and victory; see note on Rev 3:5.
* [7:10] Salvation comes from: literally, “(let) salvation (be ascribed) to.” A similar hymn of praise is found at the fall of the dragon (Rev 12:10) and of Babylon (Rev 19:1).
* [7:14] Time of great distress: fierce persecution by the Romans; cf. Introduction. (Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 24 accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God into the Temple.
* [Psalm 24] The Psalm apparently accompanied a ceremony of the entry of God (invisibly enthroned upon the ark), followed by the people, into the Temple. The Temple commemorated the creation of the world (Ps 24:1–2). The people had to affirm their fidelity before being admitted into the sanctuary (Ps 24:3–6; cf. Ps 15). A choir identifies the approaching God and invites the very Temple gates to bow down in obeisance (Ps 24:7–10). (Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Reading from the First Letter of John declares us Children of God.
* [3:1–3] The greatest sign of God’s love is the gift of his Son (Jn 3:16) that has made Christians true children of God. This relationship is a present reality and also part of the life to come; true knowledge of God will ultimately be gained, and Christians prepare themselves now by virtuous lives in imitation of the Son.
* [3:2] When it is revealed: or “when he is revealed” (the subject of the verb could be Christ). (1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents The Sermon on the Mount and The Beatitudes.
* [5:3–12] The form Blessed are (is) occurs frequently in the Old Testament in the Wisdom literature and in the psalms. Although modified by Matthew, the first, second, fourth, and ninth beatitudes have Lucan parallels (Mt 5:3 // Lk 6:20; Mt 5:4 // Lk 6:21b; Mt 5:6 // Lk 6:21a; Mt 5:11–12 // Lk 5:22–23). The others were added by the evangelist and are probably his own composition. A few manuscripts, Western and Alexandrian, and many versions and patristic quotations give the second and third beatitudes in inverted order.
* [5:3] The poor in spirit: in the Old Testament, the poor (’anāwîm) are those who are without material possessions and whose confidence is in God (see Is 61:1; Zep 2:3; in the NAB the word is translated lowly and humble, respectively, in those texts). Matthew added in spirit in order either to indicate that only the devout poor were meant or to extend the beatitude to all, of whatever social rank, who recognized their complete dependence on God. The same phrase poor in spirit is found in the Qumran literature (1QM 14:7).
* [5:4] Cf. Is 61:2, “(The Lord has sent me)…to comfort all who mourn.” They will be comforted: here the passive is a “theological passive” equivalent to the active “God will comfort them”; so also in Mt 5:6, 7.
* [5:5] Cf. Ps 37:11, “…the meek shall possess the land.” In the psalm “the land” means the land of Palestine; here it means the kingdom.
* [5:6] For righteousness: a Matthean addition. For the meaning of righteousness here, see note on Mt 3:14–15.
* [5:8] Cf. Ps 24:4. Only one “whose heart is clean” can take part in the temple worship. To be with God in the temple is described in Ps 42:3 as “beholding his face,” but here the promise to the clean of heart is that they will see God not in the temple but in the coming kingdom.
* [5:10] Righteousness here, as usually in Matthew, means conduct in conformity with God’s will.
* [5:12] The prophets who were before you: the disciples of Jesus stand in the line of the persecuted prophets of Israel. Some would see the expression as indicating also that Matthew considered all Christian disciples as prophets. (Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Molly Mattingly recalls introducing herself: name, what I was studying, my roles on campus and with the summer program and being challenged “that’s what you do. Who ARE you?”
The readings for the Solemnity of All Saints reminded me of that interaction, particularly the first reading and the psalm. “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” “Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in his holy place?” In both readings, there is an answer. They are the ones who have survived the time of great distress, and believed in the Lamb. They are the people who long to see God’s face. In the Gospel, Jesus goes on to describe the attributes of those who are close to him: humble, grieving, gentle, purehearted, merciful, striving for justice, making peace, suffering for doing what is right in the name of Christ. I aspire to this kind of blessedness as a “saint in training.” (I bought my godson a onesie with that phrase on it when he was baptized; I think perhaps all the baptized could wear it on a t-shirt to remind ourselves.) Still, that description of sainthood is more about what we do and what we desire. Who ARE we? (Mattingly, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Perfect blessedness is humility of spirit,” by Hilary of Poitiers (315-367 AD).
"'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' The Lord taught by way of example that the glory of human ambition must be left behind when he said, 'The Lord your God shall you adore and him only shall you serve' (Matthew 4:10). And when he announced through the prophets that he would choose a people humble and in awe of his words [Isaiah 66:2], he introduced the perfect Beatitude as humility of spirit. Therefore he defines those who are inspired as people aware that they are in possession of the heavenly kingdom... Nothing belongs to anyone as being properly one's own, but all have the same things by the gift of a single parent. They have been given the first things needed to come into life and have been supplied with the means to use them." (excerpt from commentary ON MATTHEW 4.2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 John 3:1-3 also asks “who are you”?
What does this have to do with the feast of All Saints? Everything! Today’s celebration honors all the saints, both the ones whose names we know and those unknown, hidden saints. All these men and women treasured their identities as children of God and lived lives of holiness in countless heroic ways. They all held tightly to the Lord, even if it meant giving up everything else they valued—even if it meant giving up their lives.
Who are you? You are a child of God. You are beloved of Christ. That means that even you can press on to become a saint!
“Jesus, thank you for giving me such a high calling!” (Meditation on 1 John 3:1-3, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses the symbolism in Revelation of the 144,000 sealed as representing old and new Israel, twelve tribes and twelve apostles a thousand times over all healed by the Blood of the Lamb. The Letter of John proclaims we are already children of God and coheirs with Jesus. In Eastern Orthodox tradition, we are divinized, we will be like God. In Matthew, the Beatitudes are ideals, not commandments, to be aimed at: humble, mourning, meek response to the world, righteousness defined as being compassionate, merciful, giving forgiveness and healing, pure in thought and seeing God everywhere as peacekeepers. Friar Jude reminds us that “no good deed goes unpunished” and we are truly blessed to be invited to Jesus' mission of healing and blessing.
Fr. Mike Schmitz recalls as we hear the re-telling of the story of Judas Maccabbeus and his brothers fighting for the honor of the Lord's Temple in 2 Maccabees, Fr. Mike points out how this version gives us an insight into their recognition of God's presence, mercy, and justice in their circumstances. We learn that no matter what we are going through, we can trust that God is our great defender who is present and active in all circumstances of our lives. Today's readings are 2 Maccabees 8, Wisdom 5-6, and Proverbs 24:30-34.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Potawatomi author Kaitlin Curtice who looks at pictures of herself and considers her future role as an ancestor.
I realized then that one day I am going to be an ancestor. When I have passed on and my spirit is left to lead my children and their children, they will talk about me, about my legacy, about what I left undone or what I did to change things. I realized that these photos are an actual embodiment of sacred life…. So, I remember my ancestors. I remember what they have left for me, and I remember what was left undone. I look at their pictures, searching their eyes for stories they may never have told us when they were alive. Instead, they visit us in dreams, reconnecting us, helping us imagine a new way forward, a way of peace. One day we will become ancestors, but until then, we whisper to our long-gone ones, asking that they remember us. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder our heritage and inclusion in the multitudes of the children of God and implore the Spirit to guide our journey as “blessed” saints.
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?1
Mattingly, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-1-2025
Meditation on 1 John 3:1-3. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/01/1420545/
1 John, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/3?1
Psalms, PSALM 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/24?1
Revelation, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/revelation/7?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/connecting-with-our-ancestors-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Rejoice and Be Glad, for Your Reward Is Great in Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/
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