Today, the Church celebrates the beautiful feast of All Saints, a day when we honor all those who have lived faithfully in Christ and now share in the glory of heaven. Some of these saints are well known to us, such as St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Teresa of Calcutta. Others are unknown to the world, but their names are written in the heart of God.

Today is also a reminder that holiness is not reserved for a few extraordinary people. Every one of us is called to become a saint. We are called to live holy lives in our families, workplaces, communities and everyday encounters with others. In today's Gospel, Jesus gives us the Beatitudes. These are among the most beautiful and challenging words in the Bible. Jesus tells us who is truly blessed in the eyes of God.