Challenging the Status Quo: Becoming A Modern Saint in Kenya
Thirty-first Sunday – All Saints – November 1, 2026
When we read the Psalm response during Mass, I wonder if people feel “disconnected” or worried that the words don’t really feel true for them? Sometimes I do. Like today, “Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.” Do I really long for the Lord’s face?
How can we own that expression more fully? Well, here is one way we can read it:
anytime we long to see justice for someone; anytime we long to help someone smile; anytime we wipe away tears from someone or bandage their wounds: we are longing to see God’s face.
And, when we do practical actions to expose the face of Christ in people, we are doing Saintly work. We may not get the No.1 jersey in God’s football team, but we are one of those multitudes of people we heard about in the First Reading from Apocalypse.
The First Reading reveals a large multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue standing before the throne, wearing white robes because they persevered doing good in the face of challenges and temptations. I couldn’t help think of the many people who died for the freedom of Kenya, whom we celebrate on Mashja Day each year: their sacrifices were amazing.
Then, again, the many killed in 2024 trying to restrain Government actions which would hurt many people. Many were not perfect, but they had courage, and suspected they might die.
Most of us do these things mentioned above, some more than others, and sometimes reluctantly! So why celebrate the Feast of All Saints? First of all, it’s a chance to say thank you and pray for to all who’ve done good for us: those gone before us, yes, but also the living, today!
Pope Francis coined the term “the saints next door”, pointing to ordinary parents, youth, and workers who live out their faith quietly but powerfully in modern society. Congrat’s to you!
Secondly, by appreciating the Saints we have known, in our communities, God is calling each of us to a deeper Saintly life. The authenticity of our appreciation to God, and the people who bring justice, or wipe away our tears, is shown by our desire to imitate them.
However, we know the world is changing day by day, and so do the challenges we face on both personal and community levels. Therefore, Pope Saint John Paul II, guided us as follows:
“We need saints without veil or cassock. We need saints who wear jeans and sneakers… We need modern saints, Saints of the 21st century with a spirituality that is part of our time.”
Although God is happy with all who try to do the basics, God is also calling each Christian to greater roles in our communities. Perhaps none more so than in political life. Although there are many poor politicians, there are also some good and honest politicians. Politicians and the ordinary people must work together to safeguard our freedoms and ensure a just society.
We also need leaders in our smaller communities as Chairpersons, Secretaries, Treasurers, activity organisers and coaches who empower young people. It is a sacrifice to be in these leadership positions! But it is also a recognition that God has given each of us special gifts that make us leaders in various ways: God is inviting us (calling us?) to exercise them.
If we use a football analogy, all the players on the team are needed and are important. But we also know, we need one or two “stars” that energise and guide the team: through skill, but also through presence and charisma. Perhaps we can say, the players who wear the No.1 jersey.
Each Christian is called to go a step beyond the ordinary. According to our capacity, age, status and context, we need to go one step higher than wiping away the tears. This is not to discount the importance of the above examples, but to safeguard our communities for a better tomorrow (a tomorrow that comes closer to Heaven on earth).
In the current context of Kenya, our goal should be to challenge the Status Quo and become MODERN Saints in Kenya. This week the President of Botswana made an announcement that those who’ve stolen from the Government better start running now, because he means to catch them and get it back. He’s placed himself in danger from powerful forces.
In the same way, when we speak the truth and challenge bad, or illegal behaviour, we also place ourselves in danger from some of the people around us.
Today we are given a reality check: All Saints is not historical; it’s a challenging look at our present-day lifestyle(s). For Kenya, at least, given our current social and economic climate, being a Saint means being a person of integrity all day, especially when nobody is looking.
In Kenya, today, we need Saints who are people of integrity, who choose the identity of God’s Kingdom, rather than the identity of our tribal and ethnic origins. This is not easy when basic needs for life are not available: and yet, these occasions can become opportunities for us to work together, share what we have and build communities where we feel appreciated/ welcome.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI