Sermon #1
All Saints and All Souls – November 6, 2011
How Blessed You Are When….
I was talking to the children earlier this morning about the great crowd of saints and sinners who are part of God’s community, the church. I showed them the hanging in the chapel, made by the artist Doris McCarthy, depicting all the different people streaming down towards the church, from St Aidan himself to a bishop, an old lady, a pair of wrestling boys, an Inuit child, and so on.
At the celebration of All Saints and All Souls we recall them all: the saints, the sinners, the ordinary people; those we’ve known personally and loved, and those we’ve only heard of. They’re all included in today’s parade and celebration.
And we too are invited to be part of the parade. St Paul called the Christians in the early church communities “the saints.”
I remember when I was a teenager my parish priest said to me, “Lucy, you’re called to be a saint.” And I was flattered, thinking he was complimenting me on my piety. But he wasn’t: he was telling me what we all need to hear – that we’re each meant to be God’s saints, God’s dedicated, imperfect, open-hearted people, letting the light of Christ shine out of our lives.
When Jesus sat down and taught the crowds what we now called the Beatitudes, he was describing the characteristics of those who live in God’s way, as God’s people. He didn’t describe perfect, impossible-to-follow, pious goody-goodies, he talked about the poor in spirit, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the persecuted.
At first glance it reads like a list of the down-trodden and most insignificant. And that was part of his upside-down gospel: that the kingdom of heaven doesn’t belong to the rich and powerful and confident, but to those who have enough space in their hearts and minds to let God in. If you’re full of yourself, there’s no space for God. Whereas, as one translation says, “How blessed are those who know their need of God,” because then they can let God in.
So each Beatitude is also describing a way of being for each one of us, not just a type of person.
One author who has worked on understanding the Beatitudes in this light is Neil Douglas Klotz. In his book, Prayers of the Cosmos he studies the original Aramaic form, and offers these insights:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you get out of the way and empty yourself and make space for God. You will find yourself already living in the kingdom of heaven.” Or, as The Message version of the Bible paraphrases it, “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you let yourself be vulnerable enough to feel sorrow and empathy. You will discover the strength of God’s embrace.”
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you let go of pride and ego and just take your place in the universe.” Or, as The Message puts it, “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less.”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you long for justice and work for it, for you will see the fruits of your labours.”
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy, “ can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when you act compassionately and learn how to forgive. As you sow, you will also reap.”
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God, “ can mean, “How blessed you are, how tuned in to God’s way, when your heart is wide and open, for you will see God in everything and everyone.” Or, as The Message puts it, “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how in tune with the way of God, when you are committed to planting seeds of peace at all times, for then you’re reflecting the very nature of God.”
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” can mean, “How blessed you are, how in tune with the way of God, when you are attacked for seeking justice. You will find your true home in God.” In The Message: “The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.” And it goes on to say, “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like [what you’re doing] I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.”
We live our lives in the company of a great cloud of witnesses – all the saints, known and anonymous, and all those we’ve loved but see no longer, who’ve walked the way of death to new life before us. They’re cheering us on! They’re applauding, as we learn more and more how to be in tune with the way of God.
Our greatest role model is Christ, and it’s through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we can become like him.
So ponder the Beatitudes today. Which blessing do you need most? The ability to get out of the way and make room for God? Vulnerability? Passion for justice? The willingness to forgive? Ask God for that blessing, and you will receive. Then practise! One way or another, all the Beatitudes are about opening our hearts wider to God, like a flower opens to the sun – without anxiety or pride or any motive other than to live more fully in the light of God’s grace. Then we’ll be saints. Not perfect, but softened, more spacious, with less of us and more of God.
Amen.
