Today is the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time but this year this Liturgical day takes a back seat, as it were, to the Solemnity of All Saints which is always celebrated on November 1. There is a hierarchy of Liturgical Days to give us guidelines as to what is important. Our most important Liturgical day is, of course Easter with Christmas and Pentecost next in the order of importance. Those feasts and seasons, including their preparatory ones (Advent in Lent) are at the top of the hierarchy. On any Sunday in these Liturgical Days take precedent. The next level of importance is Solemnities. These celebrate the mysteries of Christ’s life and include honor for Mary, his mother and our mother. There are several of these that include All Saints this week. Next are the Sundays in Ordinary Time, which are split into two sections: a small section between Epiphany and Lent and a long portion beginning after Pentecost until the Solemnity of Christ the King on the 34^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (coming in 3 weeks). Then there are feasts and commemorations for martyrs and saints, ( include All Souls) which fill the Sanctoral cycle. Martyrs and saints provide role models of how we live our Catholic faith.

      Our readings today are focused not on the earthly lives and goodness of the saints, but on the consequences of their good choices: Eternal Life in heaven with the whole communion of saints gathered before the throne of God.

      The first reading from Revelation (Rev 7:2-4,9-14) gives us a powerful image of this. One of the elders spoke up and asked who are those dressed in white robes in front of the throne? The answer: “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

The Responsorial Psalm (Ps 24:1-6) says: “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face .”

      The second reading (1 John 3:1-3): “We do know that when it is revealed, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is.” The final verse of the reading adds this important note: “Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure as he is pure.” If we truly have faith in Christ, we will live a pure life so we can be with him in heaven.

      The Gospel (Matt 5:1-12a) describes the perfect “attitudes” to achieve our goal of heaven. This is how we achieve the purity that St. John talks about in the second reading

      The readings as a whole are meant to give hope, particularly in difficult times, of what our ultimate destination really is – Heaven. The readings affirm that it will not be easy, that there will be times of “distress” and “persecution.” The only way to survive, and even thrive despite all the challenges and difficulties., is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ and the Eternal glory he won for us.

Merciful Father, you gave us shepherds as successors of the apostles to guide and govern your church.
We implore your Holy Spirit to guide the selection process as a new bishop is chosen to lead our diocese.
May he be a pastor filled with holiness and compassion who will foster healing and a greater love of your name.
Allow our hearts to be open to the candidate of your choosing so that, together as disciples of Jesus, we may continue to build your kingdom.   Amen.

 "Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch. Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them. In this way, by concretely welcoming Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives, we will also radiate its transforming power to all of creation."                                                                 Pope Francis, October 4, 2018