Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:20-31
Since this year, November 1st falls on a Saturday, most churches celebrate All Saints' Day at the Sunday service, so I have chosen to use the lesson for All Saints' as well. In this reading from Luke's gospel, referred to as the Beatitudes, Jesus speaks to us in our time; in the situations we find ourselves and our neighbors in. He calls those who are hungry, mourning, hated and reviled as the ones who are blessed. We are blessed and loved despite our circumstances and called beyond our own pain, hunger and sorrow. Jesus calls us to love our enemies, doing good to the haters, being generous to the needy and greedy alike. Oh, how hard this is for us and yet, as we give love away, despite our pain and sorrows, we find blessing upon blessing, which changes and heals us and our aching, broken world.
Wondrous Creator, we have so great a cloud of witnesses
to the blessings you shower upon all your beloved
in the midst of their pain, loss and deep sorrows.
Lord, let us be your light and love here, honoring your saints before us.
We forget those who have suffered so we can live
and believe our times are harder than the past
yet you love us in every generation and every time.
Lord, let us be your light and love here, honoring your saints before us.
Lift us, Lord, above the cruelty we witness daily
so that we might see your love invading this evil
and we might love our enemies as you always have.
Lord, let us be your light and love here, honoring your saints before us.
The winter's cold is creeping in upon us all
yet you are our source of blessings and warmth.
Lord, let us be your light and love here, honoring your saints before us.
The darkness seems deeper and longer these days
yet you bring us you light in the depth of night.
Lord, let us be your light and love here, honoring your saints before us.
Help us Lord, to love our enemies in our time
so we might honor you and all the saints before us.
Lord, let us be your light and love here, honoring your saints before us. Amen.
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