REFLECTION:

Let me begin with a little question this morning. Who remembers the last paragraph of the Apostles' Creed? Let's see if we can recite it together: "I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen."

Now, how many of you actually know what you just said?

There's a line in there that we sometimes say without really thinking about it: "the communion of saints." What does that mean? Have you ever thought about it. The word communion comes from the Latin communio, meaning to share, to participate, or to have something in common.

So what do you and I have in common with St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, or St. Teresa of Calcutta? Jesus Christ!

Through Christ, we belong to one spiritual family, a family that includes the saints in heaven and all of us still making our journey here on earth. And today, on this Solemnity of All Saints, we celebrate those who have already reached the destination that all of us are called to reach: heaven!

In our first reading from Revelation, St. John describes a great multitude from every nation, race, people, and tongue standing before God's throne. That's our destination! To be among that great multitude, united with God and all the saints for eternity. And John tells us that God's servants were marked on their foreheads with the seal of the living God. That mark signifies that they belong to God.

Through our Baptism, we too have been claimed by God. We belong to Him, and that belonging comes with a calling: to become saints.  But here's the question: If heaven is our destination, how do we get there?

Well, Jesus gives us the roadmap in today's Gospel: the Beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the clean of heart. Blessed are the peacemakers. Notice Jesus doesn't say, "Blessed are those with the most money, the biggest house, or the most followers on Instagram!"

Instead, He shows us that holiness is found in how we love, forgive, serve, and treat one another. The Beatitudes are not simply beautiful words to memorize. They are directions to live by. And like any journey, sometimes we get lost. Sometimes we take the wrong turn. Sometimes we fall and need help getting back up. And that's where the Church comes in.

Today, we also celebrate the 112th anniversary of the dedication of Sacred Heart Church. For 112 years, this church has been a place where generations of people have been formed for their journey toward holiness.

Think of the Church as our training ground, where we learn through Scripture, prayer, and the teachings of Christ how to live as His disciples. Think of the Church as a hospital, where those wounded by sin come to experience God's mercy and forgiveness, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. And think of the Church as a resting place, where those who are tired, discouraged, or burdened by life come to be strengthened and nourished by the Eucharist. Because let's be honest, none of us has this journey to sainthood completely figured out!

That's why we need the Church. That's why we need one another.

The Church is not a museum for perfect people. It is a home where sinners are being formed into saints. And that is what we celebrate after 112 years. Not simply the beauty of this building, but the countless lives that have encountered Christ and grown in holiness within these walls.

And finally, today is also Legacy Sunday.

If heaven is our destination, the Beatitudes are our roadmap, and the Church is where we are formed and strengthened, then what do we do with everything we have received? We help others along the journey! Think about who first brought you to church, taught you how to pray, or helped you know Jesus. Someone helped you along the way. And now it's our turn.

Yes, legacy includes the resources and blessings we leave for future generations. But our greatest legacy is the faith we pass on and the people we help bring closer to Christ.

My Friends, the Communion of Saints reminds us that we are not making this journey alone. The saints in heaven intercede for us, and we are called to help one another here on earth.

So as we celebrate All Saints' Day, our church anniversary, and Legacy Sunday, remember: Heaven is our destination. The Beatitudes are our roadmap. The Church is where we are trained, healed, and strengthened for the journey. And our legacy is helping others reach that destination too. Because ultimately, the goal is not simply for us to become saints, but to help one another become saints. And wouldn't it be beautiful if one day, when we stand among that great multitude in heaven, we recognize some of the people we helped along the way?

That is the Communion of Saints. That is our calling. And that is the legacy we are called to leave.