It's been a lovely weekend. And I especially like the service for All Saints/Souls at church. My mother and brother are never far from my heart, but today I remember all the others whom I've known and loved. I imagine them all together. Joyful. In the company of all the Saints.
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We had a young seminarian who delivered a most rousing homily based on the readings for today. I cannot even begin to summarize it, but I'll give it a shot ...
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We are called children of God. Called for a purpose. Because our destiny is heaven.
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The Gospel reading were the Beatitudes (Blessed): Matthew 5: 3-12:
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Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Jesus turns everything upside down. I never, ever understood the first one until now. I don't want to be poor in spirit. But what it means is to be less of yourself so you can be more like Christ. Less ego. In the end it comes down to "Not mine but Thy will be done." Again and again I have to learn this. Every. Single. Day. I confess it's not easy to follow Jesus, but I shall die trying.
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Which of these beatitudes are the most difficult for you to understand? Or live by?
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5 comments:
I never got the first one, either! I've read those things over and over again. Never quite got it. But hey - I've learned something today. Thank you.
btw - I really liked the pumpkin with the cross. That is beautiful. Did you do that?
hugs,
Donna
Thanks, Donna. My husband did all the carvings. He's good, no?
The cross pumpkin is very dramatic with baby pumpkins next to it. They give homage.
Yes! He is very good! I've tried to do carving - but it never ends up the way I envision.
He ought to enter a contest or something. I bet he'd win!
hugs,
Donna
I love the beatitudes, but I've never understood the first one either. I've always wondered just how the original translators came up with their translations, from Aramaic, and then Greek. Whatever the case, I have been thinking of the last one lately. It's comforting to think that there will be a reckoning: that all wrongs will one day be rectified.
Oh, yes, Mary. Reckoning, being accountable is good.
Donna, I hope my husband reads your comment. I'll remind him. :)
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