Welcome to our Bible
Study
All Saints Day
November 1, 2009
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM
First Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14
2 I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal
of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who
were given power to damage the land and the sea, 3 "Do not damage
the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads
of the servants of our God.“ 4 I heard the number of those who had
been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand
marked from every tribe of the Israelites: 9 After this I had a vision of a
great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race,
people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the
Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
10 They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who
is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.“ 11 All the angels stood
around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, 12
and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.“ 13
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these
wearing white robes, and where did they come from?“ 14 I said to
him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are
the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have
washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
First Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14
2 I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal
of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who
were given power to damage the land and the sea, 3 "Do not damage
the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads
of the servants of our God.“ 4 I heard the number of those who had
been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand
marked from every tribe of the Israelites: 9 After this I had a vision of a
great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race,
people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the
Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
10 They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who
is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.“ 11 All the angels stood
around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.
They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, 12
and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.“ 13
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these
wearing white robes, and where did they come from?“ 14 I said to
him, "My lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are
the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have
washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
The focus is on the saints in heaven.
First Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14
Vision of an angel
2 I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the
living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given
power to damage the land and the sea, 3 "Do not damage the land or the sea
or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.“
4 I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one
hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the Israelites:
Vision of multitude
9 After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from
every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and
before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their
hands. 10 They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation comes from our God, who
is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.“
Vision of angels, elders and 4 living creatures
11 All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four
living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God,
12 and exclaimed: "Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving,
honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.“
An elder
13 Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these wearing
white robes, and where did they come from?“ 14 I said to him, "My lord, you
are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have
survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
First Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14
Vision of an angel Commentary
2 I, John, saw another angel come up The book of Revelation employs a
from the East, holding the seal of the symbolic language.
living God. He cried out in a loud voice to Here the author John sees visions.
the four angels who were given power to In v.2, John sees another angel from
damage the land and the sea, 3 "Do not where the sun rises (East). He just
damage the land or the sea or the trees saw 4 angels in v.1.
until we put the seal on the foreheads of
the servants of our God.“ 4 I heard the The seal is the mark of the signet
number of those who had been marked ring of God, implying whoever is
with the seal, one hundred and forty-four sealed belongs to God. They are
thousand marked from every tribe of the protected by God against
Israelites: destruction. V.3
Vision of multitude V.4 indicates the number protected:
9 After this I had a vision of a great 12 x 12 tribes x 1000 = 144,000.
multitude, which no one could count, from V.9 relates John’s vision of the great
every nation, race, people, and tongue. multitude of people (more than
They stood before the throne and before 144,000) from diverse origins.
the Lamb, wearing white robes and They are distinguished as wearing
holding palm branches in their hands. 10 white robes and holding palm
They cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation branches.
comes from our God, who is seated on In v.10, they acknowledge where
the throne, and from the Lamb.“ salvation comes (from God and from
the Lamb)
First Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14
Vision of angels, elders and 4 living In vv.11-12, all the angels too worship
creatures God giving glory to him.
11 All the angels stood around the In v.13, an elder asks the author the
throne and around the elders and the identity of those wearing white robes.
four living creatures. They prostrated
themselves before the throne, In v.14, the author recognizes the one
worshiped God, 12 and exclaimed: asking, “My Lord.”
"Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom The elder (Lord) answers his own
and thanksgiving, honor, power, and question.
might be to our God forever and They are survivors of great distress
ever. Amen.“ and they have washed their robes in
An elder the blood of the Lamb.
13 Then one of the elders spoke up They suffered from martyrdom,
and said to me, "Who are these following the footsteps of Christ.
wearing white robes, and where did
they come from?“ 14 I said to him,
"My lord, you are the one who
knows." He said to me, "These are
the ones who have survived the time
of great distress; they have washed
their robes and made them white in
the blood of the Lamb.”
Reflections on the 1st reading
The first reading describes what the saints in heaven are
all about.
They bear the seal of God (they belong to God).
They wear white robes.
Here on earth, they were the ones who persevered in
their faith during the time of persecution for the sake of
Christ.
Saints are those who are willing to suffer for Christ.
Responsorial Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people that longs to see
your face.
1 The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
2 For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
4 One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
6 Such is the race that seeks him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
Responsorial Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
R. (see 6) Lord, this is the people Commentary
that longs to see your face.
The response describes
1 The LORD’s are the earth and its the predicament of the
fullness; saints: those who long to
the world and those who dwell in it. see God’s face.
2 For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers. Vv.1-2 recognizes God as
the owner of everything.
3 Who can ascend the mountain of V.3 asks the questions
the LORD? who are worthy to face
or who may stand in his holy place? God.
4 One whose hands are sinless,
whose heart is clean, V.4 is the answer:
who desires not what is vain. He who has sinless hands.
He who does not desire
5 He shall receive a blessing from useless things.
the LORD,
a reward from God his savior. Vv.5-6 reiterate the
6 Such is the race that seeks him, reward of the holy man /
that seeks the face of the God of woman.
Jacob.
Reflections on the Psalm
The psalm tells what the saints are.
If they are still here on earth, they long to see
the face of God.
In heaven, they see God face to face.
Here on earth, the saints are not contaminated
by sin.
They know their priorities. They do not set their
hearts on what is vain (trivial and useless).
Second Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-3
1 See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God. Yet
so we are. The reason the world does not know
us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are
God's children now; what we shall be has not yet
been revealed. We do know that when it is
revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see
him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope
based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
Second Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-3
1 See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God. Yet
so we are. The reason the world does not know
us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are
God's children now; what we shall be has not yet
been revealed. We do know that when it is
revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see
him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope
based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
The focus is on being like God.
Second Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-3
1 See what love the Father Commentary
has bestowed on us that we V.1 makes us appreciate the Father’s
may be called the children love.
of God. Yet so we are. The It makes us his children.
reason the world does not God’s children are not recognized by
know us is that it did not the world, but first of all, the world does
know him. 2 Beloved, we not recognize God.
are God's children now; V.2 recognizes that we Christians are
what we shall be has not yet God’s children.
been revealed. We do know We have a different future.
that when it is revealed we We will be like God. We will see him as
shall be like him, for we he is.
shall see him as he is. 3 V.3 states that those who have this
Everyone who has this hope hope will be made pure, like God.
based on him makes himself
pure, as he is pure.
Reflections on the second reading
The second reading tells what a saint is all
about.
It is by God’s love that we become saints (his
children).
The saints have a great future.
They will be like God and will see God as he is.
Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12a
1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he
had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them,
saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of
God.
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter
every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12a
1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he
had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them,
saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of
God.
10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter
every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
The focus is on being blessed.
Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12a
1 When he saw the crowds, Commentary
he went up the mountain, The gospel is about the beatitudes.
and after he had sat down, The other word for blessed is happy or
his disciples came to him. fortunate…
2 He began to teach them, In vv.1-2, Jesus sits down before he
saying: teaches.
3 "Blessed are the poor in He follows the custom of the rabbis
spirit, for theirs is the when they teach.
kingdom of heaven.
The poor in spirit are those who
4 Blessed are they who recognize their powerlessness and they
mourn, for they will be put their trust in God to rescue them. V.3
comforted.
They who mourn are those who are sad
5 Blessed are the meek, for because of the evil deeds of men. V.4
they will inherit the land.
The meek are those who don’t parade
6 Blessed are they who their ego and authority to get things
hunger and thirst for done. They are submissive to God. V.5
righteousness, for they will
be satisfied. They who hunger and thirst.. are those
who fight for justice and right living. V.6
Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12a
7 Blessed are the merciful, for Merciful are those who show pity
they will be shown mercy.
and compassion to erring brothers
8 Blessed are the clean of and sisters, to the poor, to the
heart, for they will see God.
neglected. V.7
9 Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they will be Clean of heart are those whose
called children of God. motive is to accomplish God’s
10 Blessed are they who are work, not to preach themselves.
persecuted for the sake of V.8
righteousness, for theirs is the Peacemakers are those who broker
kingdom of heaven. peace among those in conflict. V.9
11 Blessed are you when they Persecuted for righteousness’ sake
insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil are those who work hard for godly
against you (falsely) because behavior but are taunted. V.10
of me. Insulted and persecuted because
12 Rejoice and be glad, for of Jesus are those who are known
your reward will be great in to be close to Jesus. V.11
heaven. V.12 is an exhortation to the
blessed ones.
Reflections on the gospel reading
The beatitudes are the checklist on how to become
saints (holy).
Each Christian disciple must possess all the beatitudes,
not just one or two.
We must constantly examine ourselves if we are really
following Christ, through the beatitudes.
We know for sure if we are living according to the
beatitudes, if we feel joy in the heart.
Precisely, to be “blessed” is to be happy and fortunate.
The opposite of blessed is cursed, malas, unfortunate,
pitiful, and miserable. (No joy)
Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
The first reading describes how people become saints.
Their robes are washed white by the blood of the Lamb.
The psalm describes what saints are: they are sinless.
Their attention is on spiritual things, not on material
things.
The second reading tells us the destiny of being children
of God, to be considered saints.
The gospel tells us who are blessed (saints).
How to develop your homily / sharing
You may tell something about your favorite saint.
How did he/she become a saint? What do you
like about him/her?
Today is All Saints’ Day.
This is the day of many saints, not just one saint.
This feast tells us that it is possible for us to
become saints, because many have become
saints.
It invites us to become saints.
We may be uncomfortable with this kind of talk
(becoming saints, when we see ourselves more
as sinners).
We may have another expression which may be
more acceptable to us but will challenge us just
the same.
We talk about holiness.
A Vatican II document (Lumen Gentium) tells us
that we are all called to holiness.
God calls everyone to be holy, not only the
priests, nuns and religious, but also the laity, in
all walks of life.
The Vatican Document simply defines holiness
as
Fullness of Christian life (knowing Christ in the
gospels, and living like Christ)
Perfection of charity (love is expressed to everyone,
to loved ones and to those who are not so close to
us)
To learn how to be holy, we must make Jesus
Christ our model.
We should not have any “idol” but Jesus Christ.
There is no other way to know Jesus than
through the gospels and the liturgy.
Personal and communal reflections on the Word
of God are prerequisites to know Jesus more
and to be identified with him.
To be holy, we get our guidance from our
shepherds in the Church.
They are supposed to guide us in the practice of
our faith in our socio-economic and political
contexts.
Saints are not made in a vacuum.
Holiness is tested in our concrete situations
which demand heroic acts, like total self-giving
or self-sacrifice for the sake of Christ.
Today, we need modern saints.
Those who resist graft and corruption in the name of
Christ.
Those who shed their blood defending the
environment from wanton destruction.
Those who promote good political and economic
order.
Those who protect human rights.
Those who risk their lives to save / help others in their
needs.
Their love for Christ and their brethren is their
sole motive in doing all these.
The eucharist is the food of the saints.
There is no canonized saint that has refused to
receive the sacrament.
The eucharist helps us become holy and saints.
Our Context
Evildoers The saints in the
Plotters hagiography
Persecutors The living saints
Rash judgments The living Mother
Criminal activities Teresas
Evil structures Prayerful priests,
Evil motives nuns and lay
Greed Selfless Love
False values
Suggested Songs
Beatitudes, by the Dameans
Mapapalad, by Ramirez, SJ
Mapapalad, by Fr. Jerry Bitoon