All Saints

Sisters and brothers in Christ, today is the SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS. It is a holy obligation.

[An attorney I know is in a middle of jury trial in federal court and he was still able to make it to Mass this morning so. . . GO TO MASS today, my fellow Catholics!]

I had the blessed opportunity to serve with Fr. James Misko (Vicar General of the Diocese of Austin) this morning at the Cathedral. He gave a wonderful homily on the Eucharist. He talked about the Eucharistic Revival that is happening over the next three years in the Catholic Church in America.

One of the things that Fr. Misko said that struck me was, while Mary was the living Tabernacle that carried our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in her womb and Elizabeth was the first person to adore our Lord, we are the living monstrances called to carry Christ into the world. It was such a beautiful image! How blessed are we to be called to bring Christ to others, just like all the Saints before us did. 

I am glad I was able to find this icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the living Tabernacle that Fr. Misko described in his homily.

All you Holy Saints of God, pray for us!

. . .

Gospel of the Day

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,

and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 

He began to teach them, saying:

    “Blessed are the poor in spirit,

        for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

    Blessed are they who mourn,

        for they will be comforted.

    Blessed are the meek,

        for they will inherit the land.

    Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

        for they will be satisfied.

    Blessed are the merciful,

        for they will be shown mercy.

    Blessed are the clean of heart,

        for they will see God.

    Blessed are the peacemakers,

        for they will be called children of God.

    Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

        for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.

    Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

        and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

    Rejoice and be glad,

        for your reward will be great in heaven.”