Saints + Scripture: Solemnity of All Saints

'Tis the Solemnity of All Saints (A.K.A. All Saints' Day, All Hallows' Day): All Saints-link ūnus, All Saints-link duo, All Saints-link Array of Hope, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Allhallowtide.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The earliest certain observance of a feast in honor of all the saints in an early fourth-century commemoration of "all the martyrs." In the early seventh century, after successive waves of invaders plundered the catacombs, Pope [St.] Boniface IV [8 May] gathered up some 20 wagon-loads of bones & reinterred them beneath the Pantheon, a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods. The pope rededicated the shrine as a Christian church. According to Venerable Bede [25 May], the pope intended "that the memory of all the saints might in the future be honored in the place which had formerly been dedicated to the worship not of gods but of demons."

Quoth Minute Meditations from the Popes:

Martyrs & Apostles, pray for me. Missionaries & teachers, pray for me. Holy men & women, pray for me. All you Saints of God, pray for me.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of All Saints
The Book of Revelation, chapter seven, verses two, three, four, & nine thru fourteen;
Psalm Twenty-four (R/. six), verses one(b/c) & two, three & four(a/b), & five & six;
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses one, two, & three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve(a).

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, our Gospel for today is one of the most beautiful and important in the New Testament: the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, the eight Beatitudes. Why is it so important? Because it is the Son of God telling us how to be happy. It is the one who can’t be wrong telling us how to achieve that which each of us most basically wants. What could be more compelling?

At the heart of Jesus’ program are these Beatitudes: "Blessed are the merciful" and "Blessed are the peacemakers." These name the very heart of the spiritual program, for they name the ways that we participate most directly in the divine life.

One of the most important words to describe God in the Old Testament is chesed (tender mercy). The New Testament version of this is found in the first letter of John: God is agape (love). Everything else we say about God should be seen as an aspect of this chesed and this agape. Chesed is compassion; agape is willing the good of the other. Therefore, if you want to be happy, desire to be like God. Do it and you’ll be happy.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 91: Decision Dome, Day 40
The Book of Joshua, chapter twenty-three, verses one thru sixteen.

Commentary: Joshua Exhorts the People (Joshua, 23:1-16).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Christians need human examples in order to better follow God. Let us not overlook this most effective means to holiness, that of following the example of those who preceded us."
—Pope St. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 29 May)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"The saints did not all begin well, but they ended well."
—St. Jean Vianney (1786-1859, feast day: 4 August)

Chesterton Quote o' the Day

"Christianity is itself so jolly a thing that it fills the possessor of it with a certain silly exuberance, which sad & high-minded rationalists might reasonably mistake for mere buffoonery."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)