All Saints Day
READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
- First reading and Psalm
- Revelation 7:9-17
- Psalm 34:1-10, 22
- Second reading
- 1 John 3:1-3
- Gospel
- Matthew 5:1-12
relief sculpture, church in
Schwebsange, Luxembourg
Gospel reading from Matthew
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people 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, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Sermon
Today Pastor spoke on the second beatitude.” Lutherans preserve tradition. All Saints Day is ancient. On this day we remember those lost. People struggle with the loss of friends and family often much longer than an expected 18 months. But we can put that into perspective. Pastor related that his high school friends 16-20 years old were not always good to each other. Two cousins’ sons were two years apart in age . The younger one was more athletic than the other. He went to prestigious Cal Tech. This sometimes infuriated the other. They were just young men. All achieved in their own way. Pastor won and had peace, Many have like situations. Here this church festival, All Saints Day, is set aside to work on these issues and put them in perspective. Jesus was reading the bible of the day when he taught his disciples the Beatitude “Blessed is he who mourns, for he shall be comforted.” Through the words of Jesus we learn to cope.
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