Gospel: (Matthew 5:1-12)

Jesus went up the mountain, and he began to teach them saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Reflection:

This solemnity of All Saints is a reminder and promise that through our baptism we already share in the glory of the saints whom we honor. The saints stand out as models who have been faithful to their baptismal commitment and give us courage and strength that we, too, can be faithful. We know some of the saints who have been canonized by name. And there are also countless other saints, our deceased relatives and friends among them, whom we also know by name. This multitude of faithful followers of Christ beckon us to hear what Jesus teaches in the gospel: “Blessed are you…” (Living Liturgy, p.240)

Vincentian Meditation:

The Beatitudes are a new scale of values. We might say that the Beatitudes are an invasion of God’s madness into the world of what humanity considers to be good sense. Have you ever tried to make a list of what you would consider your eight beatitudes? This could be very revealing and might show a very deep chasm between the values of our Lord and those by which we daily live. Do you feel comfortable with our Lord’s Beatitudes? Or has it been your experience, as it has been mine, that when you start to think or talk about one beatitude, you prefer to drop it because of its difficulty, and move on to another which you would consider more simple and easy? The beatitude that makes you feel most uncomfortable is probably the one that is most relevant to you personally. (McCullen, Deep Down Things, p.739)

Discussion: (Share your thoughts after a moment of silence)

Who is your favorite “Saint” canonized formally or informally?

Closing Prayer:

May we work together to build up the kingdom of God,
-Saints of God, intercede for us.

May our desire for God draw us more deeply into prayer,
-Saints of God, intercede for us.

May we comfort the broken hearted in their sorrow,
-Saints of God, intercede for us.

May we feed the hungry and bring mercy to the poor,
-Saints of God, intercede for us.

May we be peacemakers,
-Saints of God, intercede for us.

Amen