If you cannot imagine the beauty, happiness and joy of where you are going, you will not brave the challenges and hardships of the journey. The men and women of all ages and nations and languages whom we celebrate today, are people who had a vision of the beauty, happiness and joy that awaited them in the invisible realm of God. They imagined what the reign of God could be like based on the information and witness of people of their time and past ages. They became firmly convinced by their vision and experienced in their own lives transformation of their thought system and style of living. Their lives impacted other people’s lives.

When we speak of the “American Dream”, what does it mean? Is it the same for everyone?

“The American Dream" is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American Dream is achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking, and hard work, rather than by chance.
• The term was coined in a best-seller in 1931, "Epic of
America."
• James Truslow Adams described it as "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." (Investopedia, American Dream).
Immigrants sell all their belongings, leave their home lands and travel for the United States because of their vision of that land where peace, justice and success are possible for all through personal hard work and ingenuity. Without such an imagination will be no place better than home.

We, Christians too, are challenged to have the vision of heaven that promises all that we aspire for and lack while we are in this present life. The first reading from Revelation, the Apostle John saw a vision of a multitude of people, which no one could count, from everywhere.

Such a vision tells us that Heaven has great opportunities for each one of us. However, we cannot consider Heaven like an entitlement because we are baptized and attend Church regularly. Look, the multitude is formed of people “who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.” (Rev. 7: 14). When someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:23-24). Jesus taught many parables of the kingdom of God in order to awaken our imagination and longing of the reign of God. Saint Paul exhorts us to vision what it means being God’s children. What it means to us while living in this body. What it entails to our lifestyle.

The Saints we celebrate today are the blessed ones through the centuries of human existence. They used their God’s given abilities in their diversity, to attain their vision of heaven, to enter the fullness of the reign of God. This celebration is for us a reason for hope and working passionately for the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in our world.

May the Holy Spirit inspire us with the vision of the peace, happiness and endless joy with God our Father.