Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

We behold God’s dwelling place in the heavens, a place in which we long to see God face to face. The people whom we call saints, also longed for this, and they give us the example of how to live on this earth — creating the dwelling place of God right here. The saints tell us that we are created by God to live as His dwelling place, within our heart, our mind, our soul and with all our strength. The saints also show us our humanity, for their struggles to believe in or remain faithful to God are as real as the ones we encounter within ourselves each day.

God knows the struggles we live. He walked among us and left each one with His generous mercy. He took all our burdens and suffered them on the Cross that we might have eternal rest through, with and in Him.

Today, we find obstacles detracting or distracting us from our pilgrimage to heaven. While the obstacles may come in different forms, they have existed from the beginning of time. We seek the perfect Garden, but the seed we sow may not always flourish God’s kingdom on earth. Succumbing to these obstacles leads us to step away from our faith, to abandon God, to deny His love. That denial is real, but not undoable.

Pope Leo XIV tells us, “Jesus reminds us that gift and forgiveness are the foundation of our existence. All things are given to us by God out of pure love, and none of us can claim to be perfect in responding to such goodness. For this reason, gratuitousness — which is the source of our existence — is also the best rule of our life together. We experience this every day. Forgiveness is indispensable, and without it, we cannot live in peace.”

Pope Leo XIV says that “Forgiveness, like a gentle breeze, sweeps away even the thickest clouds until the sun shines once more.” St. Peter himself denied and abandoned Jesus and then returns to Jesus and Jesus takes him in, as if nothing happened.

Look at the lives of other saints, and how their trials became a testament for God. St. Matthew, St. Dismas, St. Paul, St. Augustine, St Pelagia, St. Mary of Egypt are just a few. Their conversions varied in timing and circumstance, from Matthew’s instant call to Mary’s long struggle. Yet all responded to God’s invitation.

Their lives show that holiness is not about a spotless past but a transfigured presence, bringing the gift of heaven to earth. This love, which forgives and heals, is the source of God’s heart. He gives us His heart and His heart beats within each one, a dwelling place for God.

We remember the beloved dead who led us to God, though they may not have the official title of ‘saint;’ whose own heart beat for God during their living. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, other family members and friends remain a dwelling place for God within our spirit and continue to invite, for God’s invitation is ever present.

As we close this month of October, let us ask for the intervention of our Blessed Mother, Mary, the Mother of Mercy, to help us forgive, to take that first step as we resume our pilgrimage to heaven. As we lift our heart toward God’s eternal rest, may we spread with courage and perseverance, the serene and healing light of love that overcomes hatred and disarms all resentment.

May God’s dwelling place reign within our soul and may we invite others to His table, as our Blessed Mother and her spouse, St. Joseph, and all the saints have done before us.