Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost and today, the Synaxis of All Saints. In the Church’s divine wisdom, there is a distinct correlation between these two events. On Pentecost we are given the “gift” of the Holy Spirit, empowering us with the ability to live and preach the Word of God, while today we extol and honor the accomplishments of those righteous individuals who have done so; pious people who loved God above all else and are worthy examples for us to follow, to “be like them.”
However, the irony of today’s feast is that we are like them, in every sense and way. None of the saints were perfect, and neither are we. They had their faults yet, these pious men and women, young and old, from every rank, class, and position in society, who held every conceivable occupation have become heroic examples of commitment and what it means to adhere to and practice the Christian Faith.
Therefore, let us truly be inspired by those who chose good over evil, righteousness over sin, piety over pleasure, humility over hatred…heaven over hell, and employ them as guides and “measuring sticks” as we continue to live our faith and bear the Cross of Christ.
