Put on Christ: Emulating the Holy Men and Women
by Mico Pacheco
Nov 2, 201
Nov 2, 201
The end of October and the beginning of November has always been attributed by the secular world as that time of the year to highlight the feeling of fright, the exaltation the paranormal and the imitation ghosts and demons by dressing up as them. The public eye sets its gaze on what scares people, just for the exciting feeling that comes with it. It may be a fun season to observe, however, this secular observance has overshadowed the true meaning of this day. What has been set as a day to commemorate triumph is now marked with fear.
On November 1, the Church honors the glorious men and women who have lived their lives imitating Christ whilst serving the Church and those in need. These are our models in faith, people like us who strived to avoid sin and become holy followers of Jesus. And these are the saints in heaven, the Church Triumphant.
We need not be misled. These saints were people too, like us. They weren't superhuman, but human like us. Saints lived like us, had their own pains and sufferings, even their own weaknesses and mistakes. However, life was lived following a guiding beacon - and this is no other than Christ, our Lord.
In Halloween, we are accustomed to wearing scary costumes, which in a way leads to our imitation of the diabolical. This reminds me of a passage from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Paul says, speaking of worldly temptations, to "PUT ON CHRIST". To "put on Christ" is to wear Christ, to be clothed in him - to follow and emulate him - and this is the path of the saints. In the midst of the urgings of this world, the saints fixed their gaze on Jesus, this is a fundamental difference from the holies to the not. They have immersed themselves with strength in Christ. The refusal of worldliness is a decision to follow Christ. The way of Christ is the way of suffering, the important thing here, however, is to recognize him in the face of suffering.
As we celebrate the saints today, let us learn to follow Christ. Even if the world tells us otherwise, let us put on the garment of Christ.
On November 1, the Church honors the glorious men and women who have lived their lives imitating Christ whilst serving the Church and those in need. These are our models in faith, people like us who strived to avoid sin and become holy followers of Jesus. And these are the saints in heaven, the Church Triumphant.
We need not be misled. These saints were people too, like us. They weren't superhuman, but human like us. Saints lived like us, had their own pains and sufferings, even their own weaknesses and mistakes. However, life was lived following a guiding beacon - and this is no other than Christ, our Lord.
In Halloween, we are accustomed to wearing scary costumes, which in a way leads to our imitation of the diabolical. This reminds me of a passage from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Paul says, speaking of worldly temptations, to "PUT ON CHRIST". To "put on Christ" is to wear Christ, to be clothed in him - to follow and emulate him - and this is the path of the saints. In the midst of the urgings of this world, the saints fixed their gaze on Jesus, this is a fundamental difference from the holies to the not. They have immersed themselves with strength in Christ. The refusal of worldliness is a decision to follow Christ. The way of Christ is the way of suffering, the important thing here, however, is to recognize him in the face of suffering.
As we celebrate the saints today, let us learn to follow Christ. Even if the world tells us otherwise, let us put on the garment of Christ.