Overlooking the Hudson River in New York City is an open-air colonnade known as America's Hall of Fame. Between its columns one sees busts of outstanding men and women who have helped to make America great. It is like a history of America in stone.
This Hall of Fame was begun in 1894. It is the only one of its kind in all the world. How are the people chosen for this high honor? The names of those whose bust will be placed there are chosen by popular approval. Every five years the public is invited to nominate the American they consider worthiest to occupy a position in this hall of honor.
Then there is a board of electors - one hundred of them. If three-fifths of these approve the choice, the name of that man or woman is then chiseled into the Hall of Fame. Another rule is that no one can be elected until twenty-five years after his death. Accordingly, the Hall includes only those whose life and work have stood the acid test of time.
Whom do we find in this national niche of glory? We find representatives, writers, statesmen, philanthropists, preachers, artists, soldiers, actors, inventors. educators, explorers, lawyers, reformers, engineers, sculptors, sailors, physicians, and a composer.
Broad and inclusive as this list may appear, it does not take in all who have contributed to making America great. Nor does it include all great Americans, for greatness is not measured by the praise of the public, or the renown and recognition one receives. It is measured by what one is and by what one does. According to that measurement millions of Americans should be represented in our Hall of Fame.
Something like that is Mother Church's Hall of Holiness. On her official lists are the names of thousands of saints. They are from every walk of life; from almost every nation: from every race: from every profession, trade and class of society. Mother Church honors in a special way these men and women who have done something outstanding for the spread of God's kingdom. She, too, selects her saints very slowly and very carefully.
But that slow and careful choice does not mean that there are not many saints. Today's feast, All Saints, is a day on which we honor many millions who have led heroic lives of service of God.
Today we honor all the unknown men and women - unknown to us, but known to God - who tried to know, love and serve God in a very special and heroic way.
Why do we honor them? Why do we honor the Queen of Saints, the angels, and the holy people of God? Here are the reasons:
1. Because God has honored them by giving them grace and glory.But what makes a saint? What is the formula? What is the test and pattern?
2. Because it is natural for us to honor those who are outstanding in any worthwhile field. We honor our parents, our teachers, our friends. We honor heroes of our country. How much more ought we to honor the heroes of that heavenly country?
3. Because in honoring the angels and saints and the Queen of them all, we are following the example of Sacred Scripture, (Gen 18:2; Josue 5:15; Numbers 22:21; Apoc 22:8) and also writings in the early Church.
4. Because in honoring the saints and angels we are honoring God, whose handiwork and masterpieces they are.
Jesus gives us the formula and the test in today's Gospel:
1. He tells us that the poor in spirit will possess the kingdom of heaven. Read the lives of the heroes a.nd heroines of God and you will notice that they were not attached to money and the things that money can buy. Most of them were really poor. Others were rich, but they used their riches for God and their fellow-men.There you have the formula. Don't you want to be in the Hall of Holiness? Don't you want to serve God in a special way? No matter what your walk in life, your age, your education, your class, race or color, you can follow this formula. You, too, can be worthy to have your name in the list of heroes and heroines of God.
2. Jesus tells us that the meek will possess the land. Do you know someone who is meek and gentle, someone who avoids fighting and quarrels? Mark that man and that woman as having one of the trademarks of a saint.
3. The saints were sad in the sense that they sorrowed over the neglect of God and the things of God. But that sorrow is now turned into joy.
4. Those who hunger and thirst after justice, that is, those who strive at all costs to model themselves after the God-man, will enjoy spiritual satisfaction.
5. Another mark of the man of God is mercy. Show me a heart that is forgiving and merciful, and I will show you a heart that is saintly.
6. The saintly are also pure, in thought, word and deed. With all their energy they strive to be pure. To such Christ promises the sight of God.
7. Do you know any peacemakers, people who strive to bring about understanding and harmony between individuals, families, communities and even nations? Then you know why Christ called them children of God.
8. Another note in the lives of the saints is persecution, often by their own families and friends. They bear it patiently. Today they are rewarded.
Whether the world ever knows or finds it out, makes no difference. God knows who is following the formula of the Eight Beatitudes. Today when we honor the unknown servants of God, we will renew our determination, with their help, to strive for the honor of some day being numbered among the saintly, even if it is among the saints known only to God. Amen.
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Adapted from Occasional Talks
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)
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