The Survivors

Reflection for November 1, 2026 – All Saints Day

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear Jesus proclaim the Beatitudes, promising the reward of Heaven to those who persevere in virtue. Find the daily reading here.

“I’m no saint.”

We hear people say this all the time, and what they usually mean is this: “I’ve made mistakes.” Well, congratulations! You have taken that first crucial step to sainthood. You’re well on your way!

A saint is not a person with fewer-than-average mistakes. A saint is a person with greater-than-average hope.

What is hope? Hope is certainty in the promises of God over the merits of man. Hope is what makes a Christian rejoice when he hears the litany of earthly trials described in the Beatitudes, because hope makes him see not the trials but the grace promised through them.

Hope remembers, always, that God is in the business of bringing life from death.

“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress.” (Rev. 7:14) This is how we hear the saints described in the Book of Revelation. We do not hear: “These are the ones who were perfect. These are the ones who had no faults. These are the ones who made good choices.”

No — these are the ones who survived.

We are all buried in the rubble heap of sin and death. Many of us despair and cry, “We cannot climb out!” The saint is the one who has the hope to answer, “But Someone is coming. Just wait.” The saint is the one who looks for the sliver of light, who reaches for it even when everyone else dismisses it as illusion.

Follow the saints. They know how to survive.

©LPi