Peace and good. 

This Sunday, November 1st, we are celebrating the Feast of All Saints, whose feast is a Holy Day of Obligation (under regular circumstances outside of the COVID-19). How many of us would like to be saints? I hope that all of us who believe in God and love him with all our hearts, aspire to be holy because God himself invites us and motivates us to be holy. Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). “For it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (Peter 1:16). 
Many of us have erroneous ideas or misconceptions regarding holiness, thinking that it only applies to the pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, religious men, and women. We are all called to be holy because we are sons and daughters, created in the image and likeness of God. Perhaps many of us who consider ourselves very sinful, see this goal and end as something unattainable. However, this is not the case because if you and I open ourselves up to the Grace of God, he will transform, renew, and refine us, little by little, until we see him as he is. 

“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.” (1 John 3:2). And how do we achieve a life of grace and holiness? Let’s read, reflect, and meditate very carefully on the Gospel of this Sunday, November 1st. (Matthew 5, 1-12). Let us ask if we are putting into practice the Beatitudes of our Lord Jesus Christ; and if we are putting them into practice, then we are on the right path to reach holiness. If we are not putting them into practice, it is never too late to start and to get back on track.

Let us pray and open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit so that it is He who teaches us how to do it. Let’s say to God, give me a heart that praises you night and day; and a heart to love and forgive my neighbor and myself, without limits and without judgments. A heart that is always open to your grace, your love, goodness, mercy, and compassion, so that I too may be compassionate and merciful with my neighbor and myself. Amen. 
With affection, your servant,

Padre Alberto Villafán-Romero, OFM
Associate Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish

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