Because we’re so used to hearing about it, the communion of saints often becomes a cliche.
It’s reduced to a large group of people hanging out in a really cool place helping us find our keys and such while waiting for us to finally arrive.
But today's Solemnity of All Saints reminds us that it's far more...by a long shot!
What's really awaiting us?
It's right there in today's second reading from 1 John 3:1: "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are."
Think about that for a moment.
Because that's the true essence, the ridiculous reality of sainthood.
John is telling us that (provided we follow the Lord) we are really destined to become divine.
“Children of God” is no euphemism.
Through the sacraments we have “put on Christ” and become one with Him (Gal 3:27). We are really joined to his Divine Family.
It sounds a bit shocking doesn’t it?
But what begins at baptism continues throughout the rest of our sacramental life, particularly in the Eucharist, in which St. Thomas Aquinas declares “we partake of a food capable of making man divine.”
And it makes perfect sense when you think about it…If Jesus is divine and we are united to him – “one body” as St. Paul writes – then our destiny is divine, as well. (1 Cor 12:13)
As St. Peter puts it, we have become “partakers of the divine nature” of God (2 Pt 1:4). We obviously don’t become equal to God. He is God and we remain creatures.
But...and here's the key...through his gift of grace, we become what he is by nature…divine!
Of course, we’re not yet there. That's what the spiritual life is all about.
Little by little, as we go deeper into prayer and grow in virtue, we are becoming more like Christ, "sons in the Son."
As Clement of Alexandria declared, “being baptized, we are illuminated; illuminated, we become sons; being made sons, we are made perfect; being made perfect we are made immortal. ‘I’ says He, ‘have said that you are gods, and all sons of the Highest.”
So turn your eyes upward, my brothers and sisters in Christ! Behold your divine destiny!
We are created for a future beyond our wildest dreams!
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; AND SO WE ARE”!
God bless you, and Happy Solemnity of All Saints!
Matthew
P.S. Don't forget to check out our All Saints' Day sale going on now! ALL Group Starter Packs are on sale for 25% off, until November 7th only! CLICK HERE to shop now!
