All Saints Day can be a somewhat intimidating day of the year as we remember the saints of our faith. They are many and varied with a call to be holy. What makes the day intimidating is that we are all called to be saints. How many of us fall short of that calling in our own estimation?

 

We hear about the multitudes that stood before the lord at the end of times. There were more than could be counted, and I believe we all want to be among them. The one elder reminds everyone that these are the souls who survived the time of great distress. They have made their robes white by the Blood of the Lamb.

 

This image is what we all should be striving for. We are reminded by John that we are all children of God. I really love the line “Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.” Do we believe this?

 

Then we hear the Beatitudes in the Gospel today. This seemingly paradoxical statements by Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount.

 

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God. This sets the stage for the remaining seven Beatitudes we hear from Mathew today. The key word being “poor” in this statement. Its meaning is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “an afflicted one.” This name was applied to those Jews of the immediate pre-Christian era who were economically and politically powerless, but who continued to hope in God even though he seemed to have abandoned them. They were often poor in the sense of destitute, but their more basic poverty was in terms of power and control.

 

Jesus makes the statement that these are the ones who should actually be declared blessed, that is, fortunate. What he is reminding us is those who are powerless are free from the illusion of worldly power, which can get us to the truly important and lasting gifts. Some of these gifts are love, happiness and life itself, with all its ups and downs.

 

When we free ourselves from these illusions of worldly power we are free to turn to God, who would like nothing more than to give us the Kingdom. This poor in spirit attitude, in fact, gives us the humility and trust to believe and live in the presence of God. These are things the earthly powers and “things” can never give us.

 

Now if we look at the remaining beatitudes from this perspective we can see how some of the seemingly paradoxical statements lead to God, rather than earthly pursuits. What this does not mean is a timidity or passivity in the presence of the challenges of this life. It frees us from the self-centered and self-serving efforts, which will ultimately be unproductive. This will allow us to respond to others in a way that is loving, caring and helpful. We can sum it up in the seemingly paradoxical statement “The only gift we can keep is the one we give away!”. We hear a similar statement in Mark, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”

 

As we look at the remaining beatitudes from this viewpoint we see the “mourn” are those who have allowed themselves to become vulnerable through loving. The “meek” have renounced power and violence as a way to gain happiness…. and in fact, gain happiness.  Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” will have a real passion for the reforms that will let everyone live and dream of a better life. Those who are “merciful” will renounce anger and vengeance as they offer mercy and forgiveness. The “clean of heart” are the ones who will be sincere and truthful, while rejecting all that is a mere sham and pretense in this life.

 

When we look at the “peacemakers” they are the ones who will promote forgiveness and reconciliation, rather than ever escalating violence, as the only sure way to peace. Those who would be “persecuted” keep to the ideals contained in these beatitudes, regardless of the ridicule from others who seem to be wise in worldly ways.

 

If we look at the Beatitudes in addition to the other readings today we realize that we are called to act in this way. When the end of times come we want to be known as children of God who will be counted amongst the multitudes. In order to gain this holiness and be counted among the saints we have been given instructions by Jesus, we just need to follow them. They are pretty simple on the face of them, but in reality, they are difficult to follow. I know I often find it easier to fall prey to chasing worldly power and influence.

 

We can begin to be more like the saints we remember with today when we follow the precepts of the beatitudes. We would reject the false narratives of wealth and power in order to gain holiness and present ourselves as the children of God we want to be. This will allow us a greater possibility to be counted in the multitudes on the last day, as we will have been marked by the angels.

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