This Sunday is a very special one -- All Saints' Day. In the gospel reading of today that is, Mt 5:1-12, our Lord Jesus gives the formula for sanctity which in this context also means, true and lasting happiness (beatitudes!): poverty of spirit (humility), acceptance of suffering, meekness, search for justice, being compassionate, being pure of heart, peace-making, long-suffering in face of persecution for the sake of Jesus. Some of these refer to "accepting what is done to us"; others to "doing something on our part...". Whatever it is, the challenge is aspiring for and practicing positive attitudes, being "pro-active" or in other words, imitating, following Jesus.Years ago, I also had this insight, a kind of a formula for sanctity modelled on Einstein's mass-energy equivalence: E=mc squared, where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light in a vacuum. My formula for sanctity is something like it: S=mS squared, where S is Sanctity, m is my contribution (or positive attitude/action) multiplied by S or the square of the Holy Spirit's power, which is constant.
I believe that no matter how little our action (or positive attitude/contribution) to a life-situation may be, if we sincerely allow the Holy Spirit to purify and sanctify it, we can gradually move towards becoming authentic disciples of Jesus, children of God, as we are designed and destined to be.
Happy All Saints' Day!
