All Saints and All Souls

Dear friends and family,

We are surrounded by saints in the making! We are saints in the making! God gives us all we need to be saints, starting with life.

How, in our dull or overly busy lives, can we do something so big as to merit Heaven? Look at the saints. Yes, there were saints who did big things that everyone could see and admire. If you get the chance to do something big and admirable, don't let it pass you by. It may be that God has made you for just this project or situation.

But that won't happen to most of us. Most of us are not given the chance to do big things and be admired by many people. That's okay. In every life, no matter how busy and distracting, or how lonely and boring, there are countless chances to rise to the greatest heights of sanctity. God is holding out His hand to bring us up to Himself. Grab it and accept the help He is offering. He wants us to be with Him forever. He can make it happen.

Right now, as a widow, I am sometimes lonely, and often wonder why I am left to face this world alone. Yet even when I am alone and lonely, I know I can always love. I can always pray, or reach out to others who need help or who may be lonely too. My life has been full of wonderful and not so wonderful people. I can pray for them all. The world is full of beauty and also desperate people and situations, and I can pray for them all.

Year round, even in the snow, I make sure that Michael's grave is surrounded by living flowers. Michael loved growing flowers. I do that for him, and also for all of those who pass by. I hope that the flowers will lift their minds to the goodness of God. I don;t need to be there or know if it happens, but I know and have been told that what I do can be a blessing.

These sermons are Deacon Michael's flowers for the world. I present them in hope that they will be a blessing to you. This week Deacon Michael looks at the readings for this time in the liturgical year, the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, and shows us that the Church loves us and offers to guide us to holiness.

All Saints and All Souls — Living a Catholic Life by Deacon Michael

Know that I love you and pray for you every day.

For Life,

Laura

P.S. If you like, use this link to read the last words of some saints that you might know. It is inspiring and consoling.

Very moving examples for us.