All Saints Day

We are surrounded by a great cloud of those who intensely love us, and who look upon us with great benevolence.  Those who have gone before us are, with Jesus, preparing a place for us.  But even now, they are supporting us with their prayers and positive energies on our behalf.  We are not alone on the journey; we have inherited great strength from those who surround us and support us.  And we can call on their support at any time. 

This is what it means to be the church, the body of Christ: their strength is our strength, even in our weakened state.  What they have attained is made available to us, even in this life.  We drink from the same fountain, which is Christ, and we are all nourished by His Body.  We have a share in His wisdom, expressed in myriad ways by all the saints, who are all eager to share with us what they have learned and acquired from Jesus.  Just as we ourselves are eager to share with others the all-surpassing knowledge of Christ given to us, so too the saints in heaven do not "rest," but continue to pray for those they have left behind on earth.  When Therese of Lisieux says she will let fall from heaven a shower of roses, she means that she will continue to do good to those who draw near to her in love and in fellowship with the risen Christ.  And who are they that we ourselves will continue to bless in the next life?

No more posts until Nov. 2.