One Minute Reflection – – 1 November – Today’s Gospel: Matthew 5:1–12 – The Solemnity of All the Saints
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”...Matthew 5:12
REFLECTION – “The first two days of the month of November constitute for all of us an intense moment of faith, prayer and reflection on the “last things” of life. Today we praise God for the countless host of saints from all ages, simple and ordinary men and women, who were at times “last” for the world, but “first” for God. At the same time we remember our departed loved ones by visiting the cemeteries, it is a source of great consolation to think that they are in the company of the Virgin Mary, the apostles, the martyrs and all the saints of Heaven!
We, here on earth, along with those who have entered into eternity, form one great family and it is comforting to know, that there are other brothers and sisters, who have already reached heaven, who await us and pray for us, so that together in eternity we can contemplate the glorious and merciful face of the Father.
In the great assembly of saints, God wanted to reserve the first place for the Mother of Jesus. Mary is at the centre of the communion of saints, as the singular custodian of the bond between the universal Church and Christ, of the bond of the family. She is Mother, She is our Mother, our Mother. For those who want to follow Jesus on the path of the Gospel, she is a trusted guide because she is the first disciple. She is an attentive and caring Mother, to whom we can entrust every desire and difficulty.”…Pope Francis – Angelus, 1 November 2014
PRAYER – Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God, today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place. May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love. Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, our trusted guide and loving mother and all you holy Saints of the Church Triumphant, pray for us! We make our prayer through Christ our Lord, in union with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.
AnaStpaul 