Solemnity of All Saints

November 1, 2018 

Readings:

First Reading: Revelation 7: 24, 9-14

Psalm: 24

Second Reading: 1 John 3: 1-3

Gospel reading according to Matthew 5: 1-12a

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Homily:

Jesus who is a compassionate and merciful leader can sense and feel the needs and the situations of the people.  “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him” (Mt. 5: 1).  Jesus saw the predicaments of his followers so he climbed to a higher place where everyone can see him and can listen to his teaching as he sat down, making him a true rabbi (teacher).  He taught them the beatitudes.

“He began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5: 2-3).  He did not say because you are poor, and it is okay to become poor you are blessed.  But rather, because the Kingdom of heaven is yours who are poor in spirit that is why you are blessed.

“Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt. 5: 4).  He did not say you mourn and you are blessed, but because you will be comforted in your mourning that is why you are blessed.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land” (Mt. 5: 5).  He did not mean to say that you make yourself meek and trample underfoot and you will be blessed, but because you will inherit the land in your meekness and humility and simplicity, that is why you are blessed.

    

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Mt. 5: 6).  He did not say it is alright to become hungry and thirsty and die of hunger and thirst you are blessed, but rather he was saying that you will be satisfied for because you hunger and thirst for righteousness.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Mt. 5: 7).  He was not saying in a narrow sense of the word of merciful and for being merciful that you are blessed, but he was saying you will be shown mercy and receive mercy that is why you are blessed.

“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God” (Mt. 5: 8).  He was not saying because you have clean heart you are blessed, but because you will see God when you have a clean heart, no grudges, no hatred, no malice, etc. in your heart but rather full of love, compassion and mercy like the heart of God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt. 5: 9).  They are not blessed for making themselves peacemakers, but rather they will be called children of God for being peacemakers.

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt, 5: 10).  Jesus meant that truly you are blessed for the Kingdom of heaven is yours for the sacrifices you made in times of persecution for the sake of righteousness.

“Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Mt. 5: 11-12a).  He, Jesus, even said not because you were insulted and persecuted and uttered every kind of evil against you falsely, but because you endured all this things on behalf of him that’s why you have to rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven.