The Catholic Church has Saints from all walks of life. Jackson Graham, SJ, reflects on the universal vocation to Holiness and Saintliness. Based on the readings for the Solemnity of All Saints.
One of the things that I find most inspiring about our Catholic faith is the great variety of Saints who have heroically followed Jesus Christ.
Whenever I encounter a saint, I am reminded of the great words of the late Pope Francis, to be Saints is not a privilege for the few but a vocation for everyone”
The bottom line is that all of us, no matter what our state of life, are called to be Saints. This great day reminds us that whether we are old, young, teachers, students, new to the faith, or lifelong Catholics, all of us are called to follow Jesus heroically and, in doing so, to be with him forever in heaven.
We are reminded that Saints are not those who never sinned but are those who have persevered, never tired of running to Christ over and over again.
My message for today is this: do not be afraid of holiness, do not be afraid of saintliness. Jesus is calling you by your gifts and state of life, to be a Saint.