10/31/13 For Theirs is the Kingdom

Homily from the Vigil Mass of the Solemnity of All Saints.

"Our brothers and sisters around this world are experiencing great, great trial. But they also, around this world and in Heaven, are experiencing incredibly glory. And that's what this Mass is about right now. It's about the reality that those who have lived in Christ and died in Christ now experience the glory of Christ. And this is your destiny. And this is my destiny. And that's the thing, is that we not only lift up the Saints, but we also ask for their prayers, we ask for their help because the thing is, no one comes to Jesus alone. None of us come to Jesus alone. It's never part of "I want Him so it will be Jesus and me," it's actually always going to be He wants me so He brings me into His family. ...And if you're a Christian, you are in His family. If you've been baptized, you are in His family, and you have absolutely nothing, nothing in Heaven, on earth or under the earth to be afraid of. Especially if at this moment you are feeling discouraged."

Mass Readings from October 31, 2013:
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12