For All the Saints
A Communion Meditation for All Saints Sundays
By Rev. Karen A. Mendes
Matt 5:1-12
Nov. 1, 2020
Main Idea – God loves us
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer. Amen.
Just at Moses went up the mountain to talk with God, so do the disciples go up the mountain to talk with Jesus. Just as God told Moses about who God is and how God loves the people, so Jesus told the disciples about who God is and how God loves the people. Just as Jesus told the disciples, so does he tell each one of us today. On this All Saints Sunday we hear these words from Jesus about how saints are called to live and we are reminded of how we are grounded in the love and purposes of God. Let us have ears to hear.
Jesus tells us that who God loves might be surprising to some, for God loves the vulnerable, the grieving, the outcast, the persecuted, the meek. God’s power comes to us, not when we have passed some test or earned a reward, but when we are aligned with God’s purposes or when we are in deep need, when all other help seems distant, when those around us and our own thoughts betray us.
When we are poor in spirit, with nothing to give and everything to receive; struggling, questioning, despairing, we are loved by God and welcomed into God’s kingdom.
When we are grieving, burdened by sorrow for ourselves, our loved ones, and our world, we are loved by God and held by God’s constant comforting care.
When we are meek, when we reach out and listen to others so that we might work together rather than to dictate or compete for power, we are loved by God and will participate with God in bringing heaven on earth.
When we hope and pray, and hunger and strive, that someday we might be righteous and live as God imagines us, we are loved by God and given all that we need.
When we are merciful to those around us, showing compassion and forgiveness, regardless of how we or society once might have judged, we are loved by God and buoyed by God’s endless mercy.
When we are pure in heart, although perhaps not in appearance; when we earnestly seek God above all else, we are loved by God and invited into God’s vision.
When we seek peace with our neighbor and within ourselves, when we try to share peace with our communities, we are loved by God and seen as God’s children.
When we lose status and respect as consequences of our rejection of society’s values in favor of our following Jesus, we are loved by God and welcomed into God’s kingdom (just like the poor in spirit).
When we are ridiculed as fools, as hopelessly naive, when people question our motives, and even spread rumors about us because they don’t understand, we are loved by God, just as God has loved those who have gone before us and those who will come after us.
Rejoice and be glad, Jesus tells us, God loves us, just as we are. God loves us as we strive to serve. God loves us when we sometimes fail. God loves us, and God invites us into abundant life with God and among the communion of saints.
As we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Supper let us sing together hymn # 696 Come, Share the Lord.