All Saints' Sunday 2026
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:1-12
Most of those humans we think of as saints, had mostly ordinary lives. They were as human as we are, tossed about by the politics and corrupt leadership of their day, some crushed and ousted, some put to death and some we know nothing about. God uses so many different individuals to lead us, bless us and help us through life's challenges. No matter how many fancy copes and mitres we bishops put on, no matter how much we might do in our lives, humility, compassion and service are the only marks of a true saint. All of our pompous pretenses are worth nothing. Jesus sees the suffering, the pain, the hunger and the mercy that is needed in our world and calls all of us to be saints, willing to do the unglamorous, hard jobs that change the world for good.
A Litany for All Saints 2026
Creator of the world, you have blessed us all
and given us your compassion pressed into our hearts.
Bless and heal us today, Lord Jesus, so we might be your servants in these challenging times.
We ache to be famous, important and in charge
while you call us to humility and compassionate service.
Bless and heal us today, Lord Jesus, so we might be your servants in these challenging times.
We want rewards, we want to be in the spotlight
yet Jesus told us we are blessed when we go unnoticed.
Bless and heal us today, Lord Jesus, so we might be your servants in these challenging times.
This world has turned cold and our public language is cruel
we torture and expel those whom you call us to shelter.
Bless and heal us today, Lord Jesus, so we might be your servants in these challenging times.
Lord Jesus, remake us in your image now and always
so we might be peacemakers and children of the living God.
Bless and heal us today, Lord Jesus, so we might be your servants in these challenging times.
For you took on our mortal flesh and lived among us
suffering with the least and always sharing bread with outcasts.
Bless and heal us today, Lord Jesus, so we might be your servants in these challenging times. Amen.
