Saints understood the need to be cleansed of their sins

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14

Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12a

The book of Revelation depicts the gathering of the saints before the throne of God. St. John the Apostle is approached by one of the elders regarding the identity of those in the white robes and holding palm branches (v.13). John does not know the answer, and he seems to be perplexed by the vision. The elder explains that those are the ones that washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (v.14). Quite a weird answer, isn’t it?

Have you ever imagined washing your clothes in blood? The blood is dark red. Any clothes washed in the blood cannot become white. Here is the mystery of salvation and holiness. For the red blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, washes away the filth of sins from the human hearts. This blood makes the human heart and soul white.

The saints are those who have acknowledged the need for salvation; the need to be washed; the reality of sins. Facing their own human weakness and limitations, they understood they need someone to free them. The palm branches are symbols of resurrection. Ultimately, they washed their hearts in the blood of Jesus – accepted the new life, salvation – and entered even the persecutions empowered with the hope of resurrection. They were not disappointed! The Scripture continues telling us they are before the throne of God (…) and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd (…) and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev 7:15-17)

As we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, we must realize that the decisive moment stands at the beginning. Whenever a person realizes that selfishness and sins bring no peace, the journey towards freedom and holiness starts. Every saint has a history! The Byzantine icons are a powerful reminder of this! Entering a Byzantine church, we see a wall of icons. We may be perplexed and confused, not seeing the altar, the tabernacle with the Eucharist. However, the icons of saints remind us of the great transformation. The background always is gold. It is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, of the new life, and of transformation. It is the Holy Spirit that transforms a person. It is the Holy Spirit that makes a person a saint.

St. Paul reminds us: don’t you know, that all who were baptized in Christ are new creation? And therefore, recognizing how miserable it is to be in sin, we return to the Lord with the desire for freedom, joy, peace and new strength. We can wash our robes anew in the blood of the lamb. No matter how often we fall on this journey, the Lord is always there ready to forgive, to uplift, to heal and to restart. The Byzantines talk about the synergy with the Lord, from the Greek synergon – a work done together. The Lord works together with us on our transformation. It is never an individual and individualistic endeavor!

Put off your old self, therefore, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph 4:22-24). Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:2)

Our first names refer to saints, who became our patrons at the baptism. Study his/her life! Ask your patron saint to pray for you and with you. Avail yourself of the great help of those who already ran the race.

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