“”SPARK-IT”

Nov. 1. 2020  All Saints Sunday

Matthew 5:1-12  (New Revised Standard Version)

The Beatitudes

5 When Jesus[ saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The word “Saint” is often terribly misunderstood.  We use it in many inappropriate ways.  We don’t use it to describe ourselves.  We even think of a saint as someone who is “so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.”

A saint is someone who:

takes time to be with God, and who takes time to be with people.  

is poor in spirit, meek, hungers and thirsts for righteousness.  

is sensitive to the sadness of life and open to receiving and giving comfort.

is merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, even when persecuted because of their faith. lets faith be a vibrant part of their living, in ways far different from the ways of this world.

To be a saint is to walk in God’s grace and walk as instruments of God’s grace in a world desperately needing God’s grace.

To be meek is not to be weak.  

To be merciful is to walk tenderly with others. 

Prayer thought for the week:  “Lord, help me to live the Beatitudes.  They cover it all.

All that I need and all that the world needs!  Sinners who live as Saints!  Amen