Reflections: The Communion of Saints

The Catholic Church traditionally celebrates the Solemnity of all Saints on the first of November. This is such a big celebration since this is the only day in the entire liturgical year when we celebrate the honor of all the Saints -- meaning those who are now enjoying the beatific vision in Heaven. These Saints include all those canonized by the Church like St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, or St. Jose Maria Rubio, and those countless unknown persons who did good on earth and who offered their lives to the glory of God. This second group may include all our departed relatives and friends who are now enjoying beholding the face of God.

Perhaps we on earth may ask what the significance of this Solemnity in our very lives would be. But I think this celebration speaks so much of hope for all of us continuing the pilgrimage here on earth. Plato always had the attraction or the "fixation" if we may say so, to the world of ideas, the ideal world. He says that everything here on earth are nothing but forms or images of the "idea," the perfection of things. Even the very life of man is a "reflection" only of the ideal life to come. I think the thoughts of Plato can help us in our ruminations for today's celebration. The "Communion of Saints," the very communion we honor today, speaks so much of the world to come for all of us. We hope that at the end of life's tiresome journey, there is a destination, a destiny that awaits all of us -- to be with God and to enjoy His presence.

Let us ask for the grace then that we may never lose sight of the 'world to come' that we are awaiting for -- a blissful life with our Creator, the Source of our life and our joy. AMEN.