Feast of All Saints - November 1, 2015

The Saints Among Us

Who do you consider a saint? Saints don't have to be perfect. In fact, they rarely are. But, saints are faithful an faith-filled. They love God and others.

MP3 PODCAST In this week's audio podcast, we discuss the reality of the soul, that part of us that transcends our limitations and condition, that part of us that will survive death.

FIRST READING The book of Revelation presents us with a glimpse of heaven, the gathering of saints and angels in prayer around the throne of Christ, the Lamb.

PSALM Psalm 24 was a processional hymn, a call to the faithful for worship. They were to praise the divine warrior-king, YHWH.

SECOND READING Who are the saints among us? 1 John answered that question with phrase, “Beloved by God.”

GOSPEL In Matthew 5, Jesus gave us a job description for a saint: the Beatitudes. These insisted on sacrificing present pleasures for something greater, God's Kingdom.

CHILDREN'S READINGS In the story for the first reading, Tony went to his first college football game. He became one with a vast throng cheering on his team. Such an experience is a glimpse of the praise the saints and angels will give God in heaven. In the story for the gospel, Mark played with matches, started a fire in his room, and ruined his video game from the smoke. Daniel hear about the loss and offered to share some his video games with Mark. Daniel's self-giving reminds us of the spirit we find in the Beatitudes. We should share with others for their good and the good of God's Kingdom.

FAMILY ACTIVITY With the glow of Halloween fresh in your family members' minds, compare costume themes, the bad with the good. Many of the good attributes will help your family members recognize the true meaning of the word “saint.”