YOU CAN BE A SAINT

 Wednesday, November 1, 2023

ALL SAINTS (SOLEMNITY)

First Reading. Apocalypse 7:2-4,9-14 

Psalm 24: 1-6

Second Reading. 1 John 3: 1-3

Gospel. Matthew 5: 1-12


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION


YOU CAN BE A SAINT. 


***Is anyone born a Saint? NO 

***Can anybody be a Saint? YES 

***Is everybody destined for sainthood? YES. 

***Is anybody destined for damnation? NO 

***Does a saint have superhuman power? NO 

***Are saints human beings like you and me? YES. 

***Does a saint suffer like you and me? YES, even more than you and me. 

***Does a saint live inside Church 247 every time? CAPITAL NO 

***Does a saint sin at all? CAPITAL YES, but they go for confession and strive every day to avoid sinning. 


My dear, we can go on asking rhetorical questions, but the main point is that a Saint is a person like you and me. 


SO, YOU AND I CAN BECOME A SAINT


I want you to know that:

Every sinner has a future, and Every saint has a past.

No one is born a Saint, rather we all except Jesus Christ were born sinners.

Every saint today was yesterday's sinner, while every sinner today can become a saint tomorrow.

Sainthood is not meant for a particular person or some groups of persons, but all. All we need to do is to key into it.

Hence, the only key 🔑 to unlock the door🚪 of sainthood is LOVE.


What God wants from us is repentance, and always remember the thief crucified at Jesus' right hand who got salvation at his last breath while hagging on the cross. Cf. Luke 23: 42,43. 

Therefore, know that God's mercy is endless.

More so, it is good to note who a Saint is and who a Saint is not.


A SAINT IS NOT THE FOLLOWING 


1. A saint is not a person who never sinned

2. A saint is not a person without difficulties

3. A saint is not a person who was born by sinless parents

4. A saint is not a person who sleeps and wakes inside church every day

5. A saint is not a person who prophesies or speaks in tongues always

6. A saint is not a superhuman or an extraordinary person who can fly

7. A saint is not a person who knows how to perform miracles

8. A saint is not for only those who are leaders in the Church

9. A saint is not a person who has special spiritual gifts

10. A saint is not a person who fasts, prays, preaches, etc, but lacks LOVE.

11. A saint is not a person who has no human weakness 

12. A saint is not a person who does not offend others, or others do not offend him


HOWEVER... 


1. A saint is a person who is born naturally like every other person

2. A saint is a person who grew up in a natural human environment

3. A saint is a person who has a human weakness(es) to struggle with

4. A saint is a person who has a pure heart, despite living in a corrupt environment 

5. A saint is a person who is simple and humble

6. A saint is a person who has human sympathy for others and reaches out to them. Giving a helping hand, especially to the poor needy, orphans, widows, etc.

7. A saint is a person who learns how to forgive himself and others 

8. A saint is a person who perseveres the sufferings and the difficulties of this world

9. A saint is a person who values human beings more than material wealth

10. A saint is a person whose prayer and fasting life reflect his character

11. A saint is a person with a good character and attitudes

12. A saint is a person who acknowledges his limitations and works on them to become good.

13. A saint is a person who thinks about the good of others 

14. A saint repents his evil deeds.

15. A saint is an ordinary person who lives in extraordinary ways of LOVING.


Try to read again today's first reading.

In verse 14, the Angel told John “These are the people (Saints) who have come out of the great difficulties, trials, sufferings, and tribulations; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.


In summary, the words of the Angel to John should give us courage that there is hope 🙏 for us to still become Saint.


Do not be afraid, you and I can still become a saint.


Peace ✌️ be with you.


Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.

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