WC 3/11 SAINTS

We take this theme from the Gospel reading of the

THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

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GATHER

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When do you feel happiest?

Why do people spend so much time doing things that are proven to make us unhappy?

How would you describe someone who is blessed?

WORD

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew: Glory to you O Lord.

At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

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

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.’

The Gospel of the Lord: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSE

On November 1st, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, a day when we honour the countless men and women who successfully followed Jesus and are now in heaven. But this day isn't just about looking back at history; it’s about accepting the universal call to our own sainthood. God is calling us all to be saints. The blueprint for the saintly life, and the secret to true joy, is found in the Beatitudes.

When Jesus stood on the hillside and delivered the Beatitudes, he wasn't offering a set of gentle suggestions. He was delivering a spiritual revolution. He didn't say, "Blessed are the rich and powerful." He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit... Blessed are those who mourn... Blessed are the meek."

These statements sound like a recipe for misery, yet Jesus calls these people "blessed," which some translate as "truly happy" or "filled with joy." This is the core paradox: the Beatitudes tell us that the path to real happiness runs in the exact opposite direction of what the world teaches us. The Beatitudes invite us into a radical change of mindset.

To be poor in spirit isn't about being poor in money; it's about being poor in pride. It's letting go of the need to be first, to be right, to control everything, and the need to compare yourself to others. This surrender brings freedom and peace.

To be meek is to be powerful in self-control. It means choosing patience and gentleness when you could choose anger and aggression. This also brings us peace and the ability to find goodness everywhere. In this way we 'inherit the earth' as we realise that we have all that we need already.

To be a peacemaker is to carry God’s peace within you, so you can share it, rather than seeking power and victory through conflict or drama.

When we choose this path (the saint’s path), we trade the world’s temporary and external happiness, which depends on things going our way, for God's unshakeable, internal joy, which is present even when things go wrong.

This is how the many saints we celebrate overcame so many difficulties in their lives.

Living the Beatitudes is how we align our hearts with God's Kingdom now, making us not only holy, but truly happy in this life.

How does Jesus’ message challenge or comfort you?

MISSION

This week, pick one simple phrase from the Beatitudes:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit" when you think you're better than someone else.

"Blessed are those who mourn" when you feel hurt.

"Blessed are the meek" when you're tempted to be aggressive or abusive.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness"

when you're tempted to do the wrong thing for personal gain.

"Blessed are the merciful" when you feel like taking revenge.

"Blessed are the pure in heart" when you can only see the worst in people.

"Blessed are the peacemakers" when you're tempted to bring division.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake"

when you do everything right but it still doesn't work out for you.

COLLECT

Let us pray…

Almighty ever-living God,

by whose gift we venerate in one celebration

the merits of all the Saints,

bestow on us, we pray,

through the prayers of so many intercessors,

an abundance of the reconciliation with you

for which we earnestly long.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever. Amen.