"We Are the Communion of Saints"

In light of [the feast of All Souls], we need to look upon [others] to see that their journey to Christ might take a different path than our own. That is okay. We need to respect where another person is and how it is they want to pursue holiness. In the mode of Pope Francis, we have to withhold judging and making sweeping statements about righteousness. What gives us the right to judge another person? That domain belongs to Christ. The better question to ask is, “Is the person becoming a more loving person?”

. . . Let us learn to no longer reject our brothers and sisters whose journey may take them on a path that is different from our own. Let us replace this rejection with welcome and acceptance, just as God will not reject anyone who comes to Jesus. We can learn from one another when we reach out to our brothers and sisters and say, “Tell me about your pain. Tell me about your struggle and chaos.” We begin to stand in solidarity with others who are different from us, and we find they are more similar than we imagined. Let us strive for unity that comes from a faith that seeks to understand and we will find great comfort that we are the communion of saints and that God truly is among us. Our souls are in the hand of God and no torment shall touch us. Let us be at peace.

– John Predmore, S.J.

Excerpted from "Reflection for All Soul's Day"
Ignatian Spirituality: Set the World Ablaze
November 2, 2014

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
• Our Sacred Journey Continues: An All Saints & Souls Day Reflection
• All You Holy Men and Women
• "Call Upon Those You Love"

Related Off-site Links:
LGBT-friendly Memorial for All Saints, All Souls and Day of the Dead – Kittredge Cherry (Jesus in Love Blog, October 31, 2014).
Why We Need LGBT Saints – Kittredge Cherry (Jesus in Love Blog, October 30, 2014).

Image: Kristen Solberg.