Contemplating the Gospel: for all the saints who from their labors rest

Gospel text (Mt 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 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».

Comment: 

All Saints Day

Today, we contemplate the "mystery of the Communion of Saints" of Heaven and Earth. We are not alone; we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses: together, we then make up one body in Christ. The glorious army of the Saints intercedes on our behalf before God; accompanies us on our way to the Kingdom and stimulates us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

The Gospel of this Feast presents the proclamation of the "Beatitudes". But in truth, the blessed par excellence is only Jesus Christ. He is, in fact, the true poor in spirit, the one afflicted, the meek one, the merciful… The Beatitudes show us the spiritual features of Jesus, and thus express His mystery, the mystery of His Death and the joy of His Resurrection. This mystery, which is the mystery of true blessedness, invites us to follow Jesus Christ and thus to walk toward it.

—We too can participate of His blessedness. With Him the impossible becomes possible: with His help we can become perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect.