All Saints Sunday

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 5:1-12

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. 

 

 

Blog Reflection

I really like the name of today's feast.  All Saints Sunday. The word ALL is such an inclusive word.  

As Anglicans one of the things that distinguishes us from the Roman tradition is that we believe that everyone both those who have gone before and we who are here now are part of the world wide Communion of Saints.

As I wrote in my blog this past Tuesday, November 1st, being a Saint is not a matter of knowing all the great theological meanings of everything from the Trinity to the second coming.  Being a Saint is about accepting the mission of loving God, our neighbors and ourselves, and recognizing the God has implanted God's greatest gift of love in every woman, man and child.  

Today's Gospel reading tells us who the Saints are.  

 

The Saints include those who are seeking fulfillment within our poverty of spirit.   

 

The Saints include those who mourn the loses and hurts of this life.  

 

The Saints are those who see things for what they are and engage our culture, including the powerful and greedy to think about those less fortunate than themselves.  

 

The Saints are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice and equality for those oppressed by the Church and society.  

 

The Saints can be found among those who are merciful, even when showing mercy is so difficult. 

 

There are Saints who are pure of heart among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people who seek to know the truth about our sexual orientation, gender identity/expression within our relationship with God and God's Church.

There are Saints in both religious and civil groups working very hard to be peacemakers amidst incredible conflict.  The Occupy movement is full of Saints, braving the elements, being subjected to police brutality and civil injustice to call upon the 1% to stop subjecting the 99% to their rules and politics.  Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, Mary Glasspool and many of various church groups are being peacemakers between church conventions and LGBT people who still want to draw close to God and find their peace and serenity within the heart of Jesus Christ.

There can be found Saints among LGBT people, immigrants, women, people of different races, religions, cultures, languages etc, who face injustices because of who they are and what they believe.  They experience every thing from verbal assault, political, religious and social oppression and violence.  Many are told there is no way that God can love or save them, unless they believe, pray, act, or think a particular way.  Yet, in their/our humility, we go on to work towards marriage equality, immigration reform, women's rights in the work places, health care and freedom from violence in a society where male privilege legislates the laws about women.  

Being a Saint is not all about being extremely devoted or well versed.  Being a Saint does not mean we are so holy that we have achieved total immunity from human weakness and/or the desires to "get even" or have it all our way or the highway.  

Sainthood recognizes that we all have our limitations and hurts, but we find the courage and fortitude from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the good things that have come from the Christian religion (or any religion for that matter) and make seeking the common good of all as being far more important.  Sainthood involves being sometimes brutally honest with the Church and those who govern us, by calling them to be truer to what they are called to in terms of becoming a more diverse and inclusive Church and society.

On this All Saints Sunday, may we be found as faithful servants of the Gospel message to love God, neighbor and self, so that our world and Church may be a better, more inclusive place for all.

Prayers

 

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 245).

O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.(Book of Common Prayer, page 823).

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 101).