By Lisa Greey —
What are you going to be for Halloween tomorrow? I’m sure you have a costume picked out and you are ready to go to school all dressed up! In today’s gospel Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for the ‘costumes’ they put on. He points out they are more interested in ‘looking’ holy than actually being holy. Jesus says “all their works are performed to be seen” and “they preach but they do not practice.” In a sense, the Pharisees ‘dress up’ and ‘play a part’ that is not who they truly are, just like if you dress up as a ghost, or Justin Bieber that is not who you truly are. Of course, for the Pharisees this was a serious offense, since they were the religious leaders in Jesus’ time. Jesus gives us a perfect example of what it means to be a leader. It is not about putting on airs and playing a part – it is about service and love.
Today’s gospel reading prepares us for the liturgies we celebrate this week as Catholics – All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. On All Saint’s Day we honor the known and unknown Saints who are now in heaven with Christ. On All Soul’s Day we remember all the faithful who have died but are being cleansed from sin in Purgatory. The gospel ends with Christ saying, “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” What better example do we have of being a servant to both Christ and others than the Saints? On All Saint’s Day we are inspired by the men and women who followed Christ – not putting on ‘costumes’ of holiness – but genuinely living out the gospel in countless ways. These liturgies are a reminder to us about the communion of saints: “In the communion of saints, “a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. Between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things.” In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others.” (CCC, 1475) This means we are all connected through “charity,” and the holiness of the Saints in heaven, those in purgatory and all of us here on earth actually affects and helps each other. Isn’t it awesome to think that we are surrounded by the prayers of those who have passed on from this life?
I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween. I hope you have awesome costumes and get lots of compliments and candy (if you still go trick or treating, that is J). More importantly though, I hope you are inspired to grow in holiness and to make faith part of your everyday life and not just a costume you put on for Sunday mass. May we be inspired by the Saints to follow Christ until we meet him one day in heaven!
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