CELEBRATING ALL SAINTS' DAY: REFLECTION ON PURITY AND FAITH!
All Saints' Day
"Blessed are the clean (or pure) of heart, for they will see God." (Mt. 5:1-12a)
INTRODUCTION
I am privileged to share a reflection on heroic people who devoutly loved God and were rewarded with the crown of sainthood. This was the highest peak of humankind from heaven.
THE BEATITUDE OF PURITY - Mt 5:8
In Matthew 5, we see God coming to dwell in us, revealing the heavenly kingdom in simple terms: Blessed are those pure in heart, for they shall see God (Mt 5:8). This is my stepping-stone verse. All other Beatitudes flow into it, because purity is Beatitude. Purity of heart is a pure milestone of our redemption because without a pure heart we cannot see the Saviour, who is the milestone of our redemption.
THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS - CCC 954-959
Through the intelligent scholars of the Church, and again permitted by Jesus himself, today we echo them and call them the Triumphant Church. They are glorified and can simply pray for the Pilgrim Church (us on earth). Yes, more powerful than the Suffering Church in Purgatory, and after our exile we shall join them in glory. This is Communion of Saints (CCC 954-959).
THE GOD OF OUR PATRIARCHS - Exodus 3:6, 3:15
God revealed this mystery when He guided Moses on what to say to the Egyptians: Tell them I AM the God of your Patriarchs (Exodus 3:6,15). Who can we say they were? They had pure hearts. Abraham left his home; Joseph kept pure in Potiphar's house (Gen 39); Moses endured the desert. God performed miracles to ensure Moses: the burning bush that did not burn, the sea parted, manna when thirsty. The patriarchs experienced purity inside their God.
CHRIST AFFIRMS PURITY
Jesus affirmed this purity at Bethlehem, meeting Joseph and Mary, both pure in heart. Angels appeared to shepherds; the Magi were directed by a star because they sought truth purely. At the Transfiguration, Jesus' climax meets Moses and Elijah appearing (Mt 17:1-3). The men of purity from Law and Prophets came to testify that purity never dies: Elijah (prophet), who never saw corruption, Moses (law), who spoke face to Face.
HOPE AND REDEMPTION - Jn 3:16
This gives me hope that we shall not perish, and our faith is not in vain because God loves his people. He gave us a Saviour so that none will perish (Jn 3:16). That is redemption: purity of heart became a milestone of redemption because only a pure heart could receive the Redeemer. Mary, pure Virgin, gave us Jesus; Joseph, a just man, protected Jesus. Blessed are pure in heart - they shall see God.
HUMAN EXPERIENCE
Last year in Matasia, my neighbor's child was sick, and the family had no fare to Ngong Hospital. My CMA group had planned for uniforms, but we used that money for the hospital. That small pure intention brought joy. We did not perish; God provided uniforms later, doubled. Purity of hearts opens heaven's doors.
NEW LIFE
Today I see new life when our youth who were lost in alcohol come to serve at stone church with a red roof, cleaning the compound, reading the Word. They were blind but now see. Because someone prayed purely for them from the Triumphant Church, they received new life in Christ.
BIBLICAL CONTEXT
From Genesis to Revelation, purity is a thread. God is the God of Patriarchs who had pure hearts, performed miracles for Moses, affirmed purity at Bethlehem, showed glory at the Transfiguration, and still calls us on Ngong hills to sainthood. The mystery of Purity becomes a milestone of our redemption because without a pure heart we cannot see the Saviour who comes.
CONCLUSION
We are pilgrims, but not alone. The Triumphant Church prays for us. Suffering Church waits for us. Let us keep a pure heart to join them after exile. Our names on the altar, our hearts on the mountain.
Author: Urbanus Muuo Maundu - St. Barnabas Matasia Church, Kenya. A proud member of the Catholic Men's Association, married and blessed with three children. Commissioned at St. Augustine Catechetical Training Centre in Nyeri, Kenya, where he earned his Diploma in Catechesis. With a solid grounding in Catholic doctrine and pedagogy, he is passionate about creating engaging, inclusive learning environments that encourage spiritual growth and development. He believes in empowering individuals to become active disciples of Jesus Christ and is committed to ongoing faith formation and growth. As a catechist, he serves at St. Barnabas Parish in the Ngong Diocese, working in schools, small Christian communities, and rehabilitation centres.
Currently, he is pursuing a Certificate in Catechesis through the University of Dayton's Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation in the United States. For those interested in learning opportunities with the University of Dayton, contact Richard Drabik by email at rdrabik1@udayton.edu or call 937.776.3418.
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