Homily 468 – All Saints Day
In order to help people know which saint is depicted in a picture or statue, the Church has developed a sort of “code.” Since all the early saints were martyrs, whenever they are shown in art, they are normally depicted holding the instruments of their torture and death. St. Stephen holds stones; St. Lucy holds her gouged out eyes; St. Lawrence holds a grill; St. Paul holds a sword. And on and on…
While this does help us to identify the saints, did you ever stop to think about how strange it is that we choose the very thing that led to their death to forever recognize them? In an earthy sense, every martyr is holding the sign of their ultimate defeat. Their oppressors taunted them them with these very instruments. “You want to preach about Jesus? OK, we’ll gouge out you eyes, we’ll skin you alive, we’ll cut off your head.” By depicting the saints holding these objects, it’s as if they are taunting back, “You think you triumphed by killing me? The victory is really mine. I’m more alive than ever!” For this reason, the Church each year celebrates the feast day of the martyrs on the day they died, referring to this day as their dies natalis, literally their birthday… a birthday into eternal life! Instruments of death become symbols of victory. The greatest of these symbols is of course the cross of Jesus.
The Church gives us the saints as examples to follow, but also as friends to cheer us on. The devil would have us believe that we are isolated and alone in the fight. But we are not alone. Not only do we have the great company of the saints in heaven, but each of us here on earth is called to be in the fight together. We are called to be the Church Militant.
As I look around and asses the present state of our troops, I have to say that a lot of people are looking depleted. We’ve been through a lot this year and there’s not an immediate letup in sight. For a little inspiration, perhaps the Church Militant can find some encouragement from Shakespeare and King Henry V of England. In a famous speech to his depleted and despairing army, Henry reminds his troops that great glory awaits them. They may be few, but they’re a “happy few” a “band of brothers” because they fight together.
We too are a happy band of brothers and sisters because we fight together under the victorious banner of the cross. We know that we will indeed win and that great glory awaits us with the saints who have gone before. And with all the saints cheering from heaven and all our brothers and sisters fighting the good fight on earth, well, don’t believe the devil’s lies of isolation… we’re not as few as you think.