Called to Be Saints

The Holy Scripture is full of names, many of people we know almost nothing about. The First Book of Chronicles has long lists of them, one after another. Matthew's Gospel opens the same way, with the family line of Jesus: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and on through many generations.

Why are these names there? I believe they carry a beautiful message: God writes His story through ordinary people. They raised families, faced hardships, and tried to stay faithful. They never imagined their names would appear in Holy Scripture. Yet through them, God's work continued.

When we think of saints, we often picture martyrs, bishops, monks, and miracle workers. But St. Paul called the first Christians "saints," ordinary men and women with weaknesses and struggles. They belonged to Christ and were called to live holy lives.

Holiness is not only for a few. It is the calling of every Christian, including you and me. As St. Paul reminds us, we are all “called to be saints.”

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints, Old and New, Known and Unknown. We honor the great saints we remember, and also the many faithful people the world has forgotten but God never will.

Now think about the person who taught you to pray. Perhaps it was your mother who taught you your first prayer, your grandmother who blessed you with the sign of the Cross, or your father who brought you to church. Perhaps a priest, a Sunday School teacher, or someone whose kindness showed you God's love.

And who taught them? Someone before them, and someone before that. Step by step, we can trace that faith all the way back to the apostles and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the Communion of Saints: one family of faith, united in Christ, where even death cannot break the bonds of God's love.

You and I are now the newest links in that chain. We have received a precious gift. Now it is our turn to live it and pass it on.

One day, someone may remember you as the one who taught them to pray. You may become one of those unknown saints whose quiet faith touches lives for generations.

What a beautiful legacy that would be!