Gospel: Solemnity of All Saints

Today we celebrate All Saints Day, the day which the Church reserved to commemorate the Saints unknown to us, those who were in heaven that the Church did not know or formally canonized. Just like the Saints we venerate through a formal canon, they are all in heaven, cheering us on.

The Gospel for today will be lifted from St Matthew, a passage known to New Testament scholars as the Beatitudes.

Seeing the crowds, he went onto the mountain. And when he was seated his disciples went to him.

Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 

Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth as inheritance.

Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.

Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown to them.

Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

The Gospel today shares with us what the Sermon from the Mount means in relation to our celebration of the feast of all Saints, whom we share a common bond of prayer known as the Communion of Saints. What does Jesus mean when he uses the word "blessed?" This word is sometimes translated as "happy" or "fortunate" or "favored." In other words, Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, who mourn, or those who are persecuted because of their faith. This might have been a surprise news for everyone who have heard the sermon.

Therefore, the Beatitudes can be understood as a model for Christian living. The Church does not romanticize poverty, or suffering, or martyrdom, as some people might accuse. Jesus himself taught us the way to becoming holy, how to become blessed in the face of worldly desires. It is only fitting that we read this Gospel passage on the occasion of the feast of All Saints, to remind us how to live out the Beatitudes, just like how Jesus lived. Today, we are challenged to do the same, to live our lives on the spirit and promises of the Beatitudes.

Let us pray for our departed loved ones: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

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