Fr. Milanese celebrated the 11 a.m. Mass this morning. The introduction of his homily stimulated our thoughts. Today, the Church celebrates all the saints. They have successfully accomplished their mission on earth and are not seeing God face to face in heaven. There are many famous saints as well as unsung heroes. But the most important of all, the Church celebrates us as well because we are all saints. We are called to be saints.
To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2-3).
Therefore, according to the theology of St. Paul, we are saints. We are called to be saints, to lead a saintly life.
To all God's beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7).
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2-3).
Therefore, according to the theology of St. Paul, we are saints. We are called to be saints, to lead a saintly life.
The Gospel reading is the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. It is a passage all Christians are familiar with. Actually, it is the introductory part of the whole thing called "The Sermon on the Mount" which extends across Matthew 5 to Matthew 7. Some call this part the Magna Carta of the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet, it is rather impossible to follow these high ideals in our daily life.
How can we offer the other cheek when we have been struck and humiliated? How can we love our enemies and put up no resistance against evils? Can we see our family members being butchered and still pray for the murderers? There is so much injustice in the world. How can we be blessed / satisfied when we hunger and thirst for righteousness?
The evangelical ideals are simply too difficult to follow without God's grace. We have to admit our impotence and pray for the empowerment from God. Fr. Milanese quoted the reading a few weeks back where the disciples were amazed by Jesus' remark that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the Kingdom. Then Jesus added that it was possible for God.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:24-26)
Therefore, the Sermon on the Mount is the blueprint of a Christian life, a life of sanctification. It is a life open to God, open to His grace. It is a life of continuous transcendence, a life of transcending the old self everyday.
How can we offer the other cheek when we have been struck and humiliated? How can we love our enemies and put up no resistance against evils? Can we see our family members being butchered and still pray for the murderers? There is so much injustice in the world. How can we be blessed / satisfied when we hunger and thirst for righteousness?
The evangelical ideals are simply too difficult to follow without God's grace. We have to admit our impotence and pray for the empowerment from God. Fr. Milanese quoted the reading a few weeks back where the disciples were amazed by Jesus' remark that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the Kingdom. Then Jesus added that it was possible for God.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:24-26)
Therefore, the Sermon on the Mount is the blueprint of a Christian life, a life of sanctification. It is a life open to God, open to His grace. It is a life of continuous transcendence, a life of transcending the old self everyday.
To wrap up his homily, Fr. Milanese quoted the last verse in Matthew 5. We are called, not only to be saints, to lead a life of sanctification, but also to be perfect.
ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τέλειός ἐστιν.
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
The word "perfect τέλειοι" appears only twice in Matthew. It appears again in the story of the rich young man who failed to respond to Jesus' call.
Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:21-22).
It is this story which prompted Jesus to teach us to rely on the grace of God. With Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
ἔσεσθε οὖν ὑμεῖς τέλειοι ὡς ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ οὐράνιος τέλειός ἐστιν.
You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
The word "perfect τέλειοι" appears only twice in Matthew. It appears again in the story of the rich young man who failed to respond to Jesus' call.
Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:21-22).
It is this story which prompted Jesus to teach us to rely on the grace of God. With Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
Dear Lord, holiness belongs to You and is beyond our reach but perfection is attainable. I pray that You continue to support us in our pursuit of perfection. Amen.
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