A Day to Celebrate Sainting!

 Since the earliest centuries, the church has dedicated one day to honor all saints—those officially recognized and those who are known only to God. Today, November lst, we celebrate the lives of countless women, men, and children who exemplified transparency and personal integrity. These individuals radiated God’s compassion and reached out beyond boundaries of race, creed, gender, ideology, and every kind of difference. Regardless of the cost or the messiness of life, they embraced adversity time and again, choosing to serve others even when circumstances were difficult.

 Often, saints are depicted as pious figures, distant from our everyday experiences, shown in images with halos and ecstatic gazes. Yet, the reality is that saints are people like us—living ordinary lives while struggling with both everyday and extraordinary challenges. What sets them apart is their unwavering focus on God, the Gospel, and God’s people. Each saint, in their own unique way, rolled up their sleeves and bent low to serve others, washing the feet of everyone they met regardless of the conditions or how unwelcoming the environment. They faced adversity from every direction, whether from their culture, government, church, or even their own families and communities.

 On the feast of All Saints, we honor not only those who have died but also those who have experienced the Gospel message and recognize that God dwells with them now. Sainthood does not require death or perfection—it is demonstrated by engaging fully in life, trusting that God’s grace and power enable us to reach beyond ourselves. The saints we celebrate today are those who lived their faith among us, persevering in their trust in God and embodying the Beatitudes, sometimes without even realizing it. They tried, they believed, and they lived as best they could. 

Throughout history, in moments marked by deep suffering—such as the horrors of human trafficking, the exploitation of third world countries, or systematic tragedies like torture, famine, and genocide—saints have responded with tireless compassion. They spend their lives working to alleviate the suffering of humanity, constantly confronting adversity and engaging with the messiness of human existence wherever it appears.

When the dignity of individuals is threatened by the restrictive power wielded by a few, saints rise to name the injustice for what it is: social sin. They boldly advocate for the rights and humanity of all people, refusing to remain silent in the face of oppression.

In times when Christians are faced with the profound choice between life and death for the sake of the Gospel, saints stand firm and resolute. They choose life even amid turmoil and uncertainty, willing to face death itself for the sake of God’s reign and the hope it brings.

When ecclesial restrictions attempt to limit the gifts of the Spirit to certain groups, saints serve as witnesses to the freedom granted by the Spirit. They persist in their testimony regardless of restrictive laws, affirming that the Spirit cannot be confined or controlled.

In confronting discrimination, elitism, and oppression—whether present in society, government, or the church—saints proclaim the reign of God. They embody the voice and heart, call and sign of God, continually working toward a world shaped by God’s vision of justice and mercy for all.

Sainthood is an incarnational reality—the form and expression of holiness may change across ages and cultures, but the Spirit continues to call individuals from every community. It is God’s caring that we witness and God’s love that we share, no matter the cost or messiness. We are invited to face whatever adversity comes our way, for this journey builds character and deepens our faith.

In closing, the words of Rabindranath Tagore beautifully capture the essence of sainthood:

- I slept and dreamt that life was joy.

I awoke and saw that life was service.

I acted and behold, service was joy.

- Rabindranath Tagore