Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them: Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted. Fortunate are the gentle; they shall possess the land. Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God. Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God. Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God.
Reflection:
"Celebrating the holiness of a vast crowd."
Today’s solemnity is a feast of immense proportions, because unlike the other saints’ days, we are celebrating the holiness of a vast crowd, “impossible to count, from every nation, race, people and tongue.” Today we honor all the saints and not only those who have been formally recognized by the Church. We rejoice in the lives of every person who lived their lives in love of the Lord. They are now in the glory of God in heaven. Their lives are now complete happiness or blessedness in God’s presence, but they first experienced that blessedness while they lived on earth by following Christ’s commandments and by living out the Beatitudes of the Gospel. The saints truly let God into their lives, and they let him work through them. They recognized God’s presence amid all their experiences and so deep down they were blessed, comforted or filled with joy. That’s the message of the Beatitudes. If we let God into our lives, we will have the faith to see a divine presence in all our experiences, a presence of God that draws us to live in constant union with him. That is holiness. May all the saints pray for us.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2025