When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.He began to teach them, saying:"Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they who mourn,for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the land.Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the clean of heart,for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute youand utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.Rejoice and be glad,for your reward will be great in heaven."
REFLECTION
"Rejoice and be glad,for your reward will be great in heaven."
One of the nicest things about traveling is meeting up with the ones who came to pick us up. Maybe they are friends who are just happy to see you, hug you and spend some time with. Maybe it is the guide holding up a sign, PAPA PILGRIMS, with the hope that the pilgrimage has started and so much to see, learn and pray. Maybe it's family whom you have not seen for awhile so there will be days of catching up and visiting. All scenarios arouse in us the yearning to be in someone's company.
Who do you think will await us as we enter heaven? I can only imagine. All those who made it to heaven, whether they are canonized Saints known to us by name or citizen saints who made it in anonymity.
Imagine meeting God, Mother Mary, St Joseph, the angels, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, the apostles, Mary Magdalene, the martyrs of Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Africa, Canada, France, the early Christians, to name a few, including our family. They are inviting us to their happiness and interceding for us to join them.
November reminds us of our citizenship in heaven. The trailblazers made it and they are encouraging us to come, follow their path of self denial, sacrifice, prayer, and carrying our crosses with joy and happiness.
What is beyond our own powers to obtain let us ask they be granted through their intercession.
I pray we will all make it to heaven, praying for you and you praying for me. May we keep an eye on each other and through prayers may we all be blessed to join in eternal glory with God.
May our priests be bountiful, filled with the zeal to bring souls to God and may our commitment to pray for them never slacken. May we pray for each other, and for all souls. One day may we find each other in the peace of God's presence.
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