BRIDGEPORT—Sometimes calling each other names is a good thing, particularly when the name is “Saint,” Bishop frank J. Caggiano said in online Mass celebrating the Solmenity of All Saints.
In his homily on the beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew (5:1-12A) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven,” the Bishop said that early Christians called each other “saints,” not because they were perfect or sinless but to encourage each other in the path toward holiness.
“They addressed each other with a name, a title that was an aspiration, an encouragement. In the act of calling one another saints, they are reminding each other of the destination their life was headed.”
The bishop began his homily from the Catholic Center chapel by noting that most children at some point regrettably engage in name calling, usually in a cruel way to put others down and hurt their feelings. He said adult society hasn’t improved on that behavior.
“In a world that has almost perfected the art of tearing down each other and calling each other the most horrible names as if we were children again, don’t you think it’s time to give the world a different path?” he asked.
The bishop said we need the courage and conviction to urge each other toward holiness, and that we have much good example because the saints of the Church—men, women, and children– have come from every tribe and land and have spoken different languages, but have achieved “union with God through the grace of Christ.”
“The church sweeps them all up today and remembers that their arrival is still our destination, and that we together must encourage each other in pursuit of holiness to join their company. We should not be afraid to ask for their help and intercession,” he said. “Many before us have arrived in glory and their prayers and intercession can help us arrive at our place in heaven. “
The bishop said that this week’s Gospel is an invitation to meditate on the beatitudes or “blessings, ” which form the catechism of eternal life.
Describing the beatitudes as “Words from the mouth of Our Savior that concretize God’s love in the world,” he said, “ You and I are his instruments. If we wish to see God, to live in glory, we are to be his instruments in this life. That is the disciples’ definition of holiness—to find his will and have the courage to do it.”
The bishop said that we’ve all known living saints in our lives, yet none of the saints “were perfect and sinless except Our Lady.”
In issuing his weekly challenge to the faithful, the bishop encouraged us to “live the virtues of the beatitudes” by becoming detached in spirit from material possessions and by having compassion for those who are suffering,
He urged the faithful to “be righteous and seek a purity that brings people together rather than divides them,” and to develop a meekness of heart in order “to remain open to the surprise of God” in our lives.
“How do I strive for great holiness? The lord has shown us the journey,” the bishop said, showing us the way by living in the spirit of the beatitudes.
Before the final blessing the bishop reminded people that Monday is the Feast of the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed and asked them “to spend All Souls Day in remembrance of those who have died to life and have been entrusted to the merciful love of God.”
Bishop’s Online Mass: The Bishop’s Sunday Mass is released online every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. and available for replay throughout the day. To view the Bishop’s Sunday Mass, recorded and published weekly, click this link or visit the YouTube Mass Playlist.
For information on the Sunday Family Rosary every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. visit: https://formationreimagined.org/sundayfamilyrosary/
