Feast of All Saints: Friday 1st November, 2019 November 1, 2019
Reflection on the WORD
“The Beatitudes”: In Jesus’ “Beatitudes”, He identifies those who have the values of being “poor in spirit, gentleness, mourn, uprightness, mercy, purity in heart, peacemakers, even if they are persecuted for their faith. They are to rejoice, as God “sees” everything. Endure out of love for God, we will be rewarded immensely by Him.
Matthew 5:2b-12a
This is what Jesus taught his disciples:
‘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 them.
Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognised 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.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- The Beatitudes are not all taught in one sitting by Jesus. They are the main teachings of Jesus about the Kingdom of God in summary form.
- These teachings of Jesus show us how to live the Christian faith daily and thus witness to the Gospel values of Christ that lead us to eternal life.
- We could see how the saints were able to live the “Beatitudes” throughout their lives faithfully in spite of persecutions. Are we willing to live the “Beatitudes?” Ask the Lord for the strength to be more Christ-like, especially when we are facing difficult dilemmas and painful challenges.