November has a particular character in our Catholic life. As autumn deepens, winter approaches and the days grow shorter, we are invited to remember those who have gone before us and to pray for the dead. Yet November is not primarily a month of sadness, but a time of HOPE. Death is not a barrier to the bonds created in Christ. We are all connected and the Risen Christ and the saints walk with us on our journey home to God’s glory.

Christ shows us how to set out on this journey in today’s Gospel of the Beatitudes, which he teaches the crowds at the beginning of his public ministry. The Beatitudes are his road map for our lives here on earth in which he shows us that real, lasting happiness is not to be found in fame & fortune but in daily lives of love, mercy, integrity, reconciliation and standing up for justice & truth, whatever the cost. It is these virtues which make us true disciples of Christ. As always, Jesus not only talks the talk but walks the walk – he will live out every single Beatitude in the years to follow, culminating in his total self-sacrifice on the Cross and in the joy of the Resurrection.

For those who faithfully follow the way of the Beatitudes, Jesus promises the reward of sainthood. Perhaps we struggle to imagine ourselves as saints – we know we all have a long way to go! But so many saints were also great sinners who experienced a deep conversion and then radically dedicated their lives to God. They are a great hope/inspiration for us all. On this Feast of All Saints we celebrate and give thanks to God for ALL the saints in heaven, not only those officially canonised by the Church whose feast days we celebrate on other days of the year. We ask for their prayers/ intercession, just as tomorrow on the Feast of All Souls we recognise our responsibility to pray for the holy souls – those who have died in friendship with God but who still need a time of purification and preparation in Purgatory before they can be united with Him for eternity in heaven. So this is very much a time when we think of how the whole Church – here on earth, in heaven and in purgatory – is united in prayer. This is the family of the Church – let us all be connected in hope and prayer in this special month.

With blessings & prayers from Fr Richard, Fr Ephrem & all the parish team
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