Yesterday, we heard from the lips of Jesus the two, most important rules for kingdom living - love God, love neighbor. Next Sunday, from a completely different context we will hear, in effect, an expansion of those commandments. At first glance, I admit, I thought The Beatitudes a strange reading for the celebration of All Saints' Day, but the more I think about it, the more I think that it only makes sense. Loving God and loving your neighbor isn't always peaches and cream; there are times when it will be hard, ugly, and exhausting. For those times, Jesus offers us these words of comfort:
"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."
When it gets hard - remember God is there.
When it gets ugly - remember God is there.
When you are exhausted - remember God is there.
Words of comfort, indeed.
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