SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS
GOSPEL: ST MATTHEW 5:1-12 THE BEATITUDES OF JESUS

‘How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven’
The teachings of the Beatitudes (Blessings), by Jesus, brought a deeper understanding and meaning to the Ten Commandments, addressing the attitudes necessary to live out the teachings of the Commandments. Jesus taught the Beatitudes at the beginning of His public ministry. (They form part of the Sermon on the Mount). These teachings were mirrored in His lifestyle: Jesus lived the Beatitudes, teaching their meaning through His own example.
Like many of the teachings of Jesus, the Beatitudes are challenging. The first Beatitude (above) lays the foundation for the rest of them. To be poor in spirit is to have an awareness of the constant need for God’s loving care and guidance in our lives. We pray today for the grace to be people of the first Beatitude, so that our priorities in life will reflect Jesus’ teachings and example. We also ask that we will be inspired by the Saints of the Church, whose Solemnity we celebrate today, so that we too will walk the path of life that will lead to the true riches of God’s kingdom.