Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – The Solemnity of All Saints November 1

The Gospel reading for the Solemnity of All Saints is Matthew 5:1-12a. 

As a Person of the Trinity, Jesus called Moses to ascend a mountain to receive the 10 Commandments.  In Matthew 5-7, Jesus, Himself, ascends a mountain in Galilee to deliver the Sermon on the Mount, a summary of the New Covenant, a perfection of the Old Covenant. 

Christ begins with eight  Beatitudes (happinesses), revealing how men can grow in happiness in this life and promises they will receive perfect happiness in the life to come. In this life, men must: rely completely for Almighty God’s mercy; mourn the  scourge of sin and suffer trials; endure injustice with humble patience and kindness to others; make the pursuit of personal holiness their unrelenting goal; forgive and serve others; resist lustful and other evil thoughts; live peacefully;  accept persecution by imitating Christ. In the life to come, men who persevere in the Beatitudes will: be adopted “sons of God”; be forgiven and comforted; receive the perfection of joy through the never-ending contemplation of God. 

Those who have actually received the fullness of Christ’s promise of the Beatitudes are the Saints in Heaven. Since the early days of the Church, those martyred or who have lived extraordinarily holy lives were venerrated on specific feast days during the year.  As the Church grew worldwide over a long period of time, the number of saints far exceeded the number of days in the year. The Solemnity (Liturgical feast of the highest rank/reverence) of All Saints Day was formalized in the 8th century to honor the saints in Heaven, both those canonized (recognized) by the Church and those unknown saints who have not been canonized. The Solemnity of All Saints is a holy day of obligation (mass attendance required). 

Awed by Jesus Christ –  Son of God and Divine Teacher, Christ becomes man in the fullness of time to personally deliver the New Covenant.  Divine King, Jesus reveals the Kingdom of Heaven, the reality of the saints and prepares men for the Spiritual Combat.  Divine Prophet, Christ offers men the definitive keys to happiness in the Beatitudes.  

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) In the Beatitudes, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God (CCC 441-445), authoritatively announces the Kingdom of Heaven.  Eternal with the Father from the beginning, reflect on the awesome fact that Jesus speaks from personal knowledge in His description of Heaven. 

2) The diseased postmodern culture has disgraced traditional holy days by turning them into unholy celebrations: the Vigil of All Saints (Halloween, morbid, childish, greed for candy), Christmas (Santa Claus, commercialism, sentimentalism), St. Valentines Day (sex, romance), St. Patrick’s Day (Irishness, drunkenness) and Easter (bunnies and candy). Renew your understanding of Holy Days of Obligation (CCC 1163, 1173, 1195, 2042, 2177, 2180, 2185, 2192-2193) and pray for Christ to inspire you to grow in holiness on Holy Days. 

3) The Solemnity of All Saints (November 1) and All Souls (November 2) is a beautiful time to remember and pray for loved ones who have died (attending Mass, special prayers, visiting grave sites).  Reflect upon Praying for the Faithful Departed (CCC 1371, 1479, 1689-1690) and ask Christ to have mercy on your loved ones who have died.