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Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
ruler and judge of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
In the darkness of this age that is passing away
may the light of your presence which the saints enjoy
surround our steps as we journey on.
May we reflect your glory this day
and so be made ready to see your face
in the heavenly city where night shall be no more.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Matthew 5.1-12
The Beatitudes
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.’
Reflection
The Beatitudes form a beautiful piece of prose at the beginning of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. They have long been associated with the Church’s celebration of All Saints’ Day because they encompass both the positive and negative attributes of daily life that we each confront as we journey through the pilgrimage of our mortal existence. Jesus makes it clear that he understands the ups and downs we all have to face in this life. Jesus also makes it clear that even when we feel overwhelmed by the negative our calling is one of faithful discipleship and faithful apostleship.
In recent times the use of the phrase, ‘Bless you!’ has become commonplace. Not so long ago you would only have heard it said after someone had sneezed. Today it is different. Today it has almost been reduced to the status of a catchphrase, and especially when it is preceded by an expression like, ‘Ah!’ uttered in a patronisingly sympathetic tone.
The use of the phrase ‘Bless you’ as a response to someone sneezing dates back to a more superstitious age. In the Middle Ages a sneeze was seen as the expulsion of the devil’s evil influence from one’s body. The blessing offered after a sneeze was meant to be a protection against the devil’s return. When we say, ‘Bless you’, we should still be praying for such protection. But, we need to remember that it is not a magic spell!
In the Beatitudes Jesus reminds us of the difficulties we will encounter as we journey through this life. He also reminds us that, if we remain strong in our faith, we will be blessed. Let us pray that we might never forget the divine promise of blessedness as a reward for living the life of a true disciple. Let us pray that we might not only take that message to heart for ourselves, but that we might also share its joyous message with others, just as all the saints who have gone before us have in their own unique ways.
Prayers
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the Father.
Let us praise Christ our King, by whose cross
we have citizenship in heaven, saying:
all your saints praise you.
Lord, you built your Church on the foundation of the apostles:
all your saints praise you.
You witness to your truth in the lives of your saints:
all your saints praise you.
You made us to be a kingdom and priests serving our God:
all your saints praise you.
You have shared our burdens,
revealing the holiness of our life and work:
all your saints praise you.
You stir us to seek the mysteries of the kingdom:
all your saints praise you.
You lead us to the eternal assembly of the saints:
all your saints praise you.
God of holiness,
your glory is proclaimed in every age:
as we rejoice in the faith of your saints,
inspire us to follow their example
with boldness and joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ our King make us faithful and strong to do his will,
that we may reign with him in glory;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.