The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Solemnity of all Saints

Today is a Holyday of Obligation!
Check your local diocesan regulations,
and please read this first:
http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=1371

Readings from the Liturgy of the Word:
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Psalm 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12a

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Who has seen the face of God? The apostles, disciples and many others saw the face of the Lord in his human form, but who has actually seen the face of the Almighty? Moses probably was the closest to looking at Him directly while he was alive on earth. Moses was a very holy man and even he could not look directly at the glory of God. So can anyone?

The psalmist asks the same question today:
“Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in His holy place?”

He then answers his own question, “One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.”

Who are these people? Certainly they are the saints who have gone before us, both those we know and the many countless others who remain nameless across time. These are the ones who found holiness in such a degree to stand before and gaze upon God Himself.

The psalmist promises that, “He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior.” And this is true for the saints who we recognize today and for all of us who Love God and seek His face.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)