Seeking to Become Saints - Weekday Homily Video

Can you remember what you wanted to be when you were a kid? It’s good to explore and dream about our futures when we’re young. But it’s even more important for us to dream beyond this world to the one in which we will spend eternity!

On November 1, we, as the Church of Jesus Christ, celebrate and pray to all the saints, everyone who is declared by the Church to be in heaven, and those without that title but who have become saints by entering heaven.

Leading Others to Heaven

When I was a brand-new priest, I met an older couple. The husband was always holding court with his wife patiently waiting by his side. To say he was colorful would be an understatement. After each Mass, with a booming voice, Norman loved to say, “Father, I’d like to become the first St. Norman; what do you think?” Now, this was long before I became familiar with Causes for Sainthood. Among their friends, the running joke was that by being married to Norman, his wife was definitely going straight to heaven.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the goal of each husband or wife is to get their spouse to heaven; on some days, I would imagine Norman’s wife might have dreamed of that day. It is also the role of parents to raise their children to the best of their ability so that they will know and love God and one day join them in heaven.

So, in addition to following the Ten Commandments, faithfully attending Mass, and going to Confession, how can we know we’re on the right path?

Guide to Eternal Life

Today’s gospel is a part of our guide to heaven, one that you could put on your mirror, bulletin board, or screen saver. In Jesus' preaching, He directs us to several attributes that lead us to becoming saints. Some that might even surprise us.

• It begins with being poor in spirit, accepting our current situation while trusting in God.
• It continues by reminding us that even while mourning the loss of a loved one, we grow in our relationship with God when we allow Him to comfort us and stay united in prayer with those we miss.
• We are called to be meek, not prideful, understanding that we need God at all times.
• Lest we think Jesus wants us to be passive, we are told blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, seeking what is Godly and true in all areas of our lives and for those that God gives us.
• As we pray each day in the Our Father, Jesus calls us to be merciful, beginning with our family members. There are plenty of opportunities for husbands and wives, and definitely our brothers and sisters, to be merciful, with the promise of receiving mercy from God ourselves.
• Jesus tells us that blessed are those who are pure of heart, for we will see God.
• Finally, we hear that when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness when others utter evil against us falsely, our reward will be great in heaven.

Norman might have had an unusual way of saying it, but he was right. We should all seek to become saints—men and women who will one day join the multitude of the faithful, seeing the face of God, giving praise, and rejoicing with the communion of saints forever!

• Today’s Readings

• Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

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