The passage from the Book of Revelations describes two visions, both of which give an apocalyptic view of those who will experience salvation. Scripture scholars suggest that today’s Psalm accompanied an entry to a holy place. The second reading sees us as children of God with greater revelations yet to come. The Gospel is the Sermon on the Mount.

I had never considered the meaning of “beatitude” until today. The name comes from the Latin word “beatus” meaning “blessed” as well as “happy” or “prosperous”. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines “beatitude” as “complete happiness that comes from being blessed (= made holy) by God”.

Today’s Gospel is particularly challenging. My sense is that this challenge has been around for 2000 years. If I imagine myself among the disciples listening to Jesus, I hear a new set of guidelines for life. The commandments of the Old Testament are a clear set of rules, the vast majority of which tell one what specifically to avoid. They present very little difficulty for a materialistic society, Roman or modern. They place few constraints on those self-centered individuals who are prone to take advantage of others. I can picture the shock and dismay of the disciples as Jesus presents the Beatitudes. This message that elevates the poor, the sad, the meek, and the merciful seems to invert the social order. I find it interesting that Jesus goes up the mountain, away from the crowds when he delivers this (what I find to be enigmatic) message. Although I have heard these passages many times, this is the first time I noticed that it was not delivered to the masses. (This prompted me to look at the Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s Gospel. There, it was also given to the disciples rather than the crowds.) It strikes me that this is the text for All Saints Day. This is the message guiding me toward salvation, guiding me toward the beatific vision.

I consider the meaning of salvation in the first reading and of enlightenment mentioned in the second reading. I find myself focused on the commandments as practical moral guidelines, but I seemed to be asked so much more. My father passed away 34 years ago on Halloween night. I always felt that it was appropriate that 90 minutes later it was All Saints Day. I have always felt that I was more of a candidate for All Souls Day.

Dear Lord,
Jesus shared unconventional thoughts on the poor, the hungry and the humble.
I think of how often I made myself the center of attention.
As I have aged, I realized how often I have placed value in the wrong places.
I think of how much of my life was guided by “Thou shalt not” rules.
As I have aged, I realized how much I had been oblivious to my “sins of omission”.
I ponder the meaning of “Blessed are” and how it is connected to salvation.
I await the revelations that are yet to come.