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Friday, November 1, 2002

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All Saints


Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
1 John 3:1-3
Psalm 24
Matthew 5:1-12

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pure holiness

"Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." —Matthew 5:8, our transl.

Saints see God, for they are pure of heart. They are pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3). "They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rv 7:14). "They are pure and follow the Lamb wherever He goes" (Rv 14:4). Saints have been refined "like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord" (Mal 3:3). "By obedience to the truth," saints "have purified" themselves "for a genuine love" of their brothers and sisters (1 Pt 1:22). Jesus has opened "a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zec 13:1).

Therefore, "let us purify ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and in the fear of God strive to fulfill our consecration perfectly" (2 Cor 7:1). Let us purify ourselves completely as soon as possible. Let us finish our purgatory before death and in the near future. This will please the Lord and make us more holy, free, and joyful. The more purified we are in our holiness, the deeper is our love for others and the greater is our service to them.

What the world needs now is what it has always needed — great saints. "Holy men and women have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult circumstances throughout the Church's history. Today we have a tremendous need of saints, for whom we must assiduously implore God" (Consecrated Life, Pope John Paul II, 35; quoted from the Synod of Bishops, Oct. 27, 1994). Be pure to be holy.

Prayer:  Father, make me holy as soon as possible — whatever it takes.

Promise:  "Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain." —Ps 24:3-4

Praise:  Praise the all-holy Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Praise the Holy Trinity!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002