Saints of the church are people that let the light shine through them. I believe there isn’t a better phrase explaining who saints are. This Sunday we’re celebrating the All Saints Sunday. We’re taking a moment to remember all the saints who have gone before us and through whom God touched our lives in some way.

Saints truly are the people that let the light shine through. But all of us know that true saints of the church are much more. In fact I believe, they are the ones Jesus talks about in beatitudes when he says blessed are... In the contrast with this world saints step out of the crowd not for their wealth, power, or superiority but for their modesty, meekness, mercy, pure hearts and peace.

I want all of us to take a moment to think of saints that touched our lives. I want us to think how they lived their lives, and followed the calling of Jesus. (pause) It’s not difficult to remember the true saints, for through them God blessed our paths, through their sacrifice we were comforted, through their dedication and faithfulness we were lead to Christ, guided and lifted up.

The life of a saint is not always easy, it’s not always simple, it’s not always painless, but we can agree it is a life that is blessed. (pause) Beatitudes name these blessings, as they point out one very important thing, that these blessings come from relationship with God. Jesus says blessed are you who belong to God. And he says despite all the hardships we can rejoice in the blessings that flow from the relationship with our God.

For we have a God who watches over his saints, comforts and fulfills his saints. We have a God who forgives and gives peace to them. But mostly we have a God who gives the promise to all of his saints that one day they’ll be united with him in his heavenly kingdom. For the price has been paid. Christ himself defeated all the hardships, and he defeated our biggest enemy death. That’s why he can say rejoice even though you’re persecuted, mocked, made fun of because of my name. Rejoice for the reward is yours, eternal life, love of God and paradise has been already give to you and no one can take this from you. As long as you belong to me, says Jesus. (pause)

Beatitudes are in the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus started his teaching on the mountain, explaining to his disciples the principles of God’s kingdom, with saying 8 times blessed are… Why did he stress out that there is a group of people that is especially blessed? Well the reason is that not everyone listened to his message, and not all accepted the invitation to become a part of God’s people. Just as it is today. And maybe you yourself are not sure whether you believe or not. And so Jesus says blessed are those who realized and believed that I am the Savior. Blessed are those who made that first step of faith.

In beatitudes Jesus gives us an idea who truly belongs to his kingdom. In other words Jesus says: I tell you who truly belongs to my Father. Who truly receives his blessings… It is the poor in spirit, who are humbling themselves so that God’s glory can be revealed. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The ones who mourn, because they realized how much they need God’s forgiveness. They truly belong to God. It is the ones who are meek, for they let God’s love and acceptance shine through them. The ones who hunger for righteousness that is revealed in God’s Son Jesus Christ. The ones who show mercy for they live in mercy of God. The ones pure in heart, for their lives belong to God. And the one’s who strive for peace despite different obstacles of this world, for they are called the sons and daughters of God, and theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (pause)

In other words Jesus gives us in beatitudes guidelines for life. On one hand he says if you believe in me, you can be confident that I’ll always be with you. You can always no matter what your situation is like, take comfort, seek help and find refuge in me. Not only in heaven, but right now, today. For Jesus has already come and in him and through him we can already feel God’s presence and blessings in our lives.

But there is one other thing Jesus tells us through beatitudes. He says, if you believe in me, then live a blessed life, life that makes my light shine before others. Life that touches the hearts and lives of people around you. Beatitudes are calling us to discipleship, they set our hearts on fire, they make us step out of the crowd like the many saints did before us.

Jesus says open your eyes and your hearts for the ones that are poor in spirit, meek, comfort the ones that mourn, encourage the peacemakers and stand up for the persecuted. For by doing that you will not only continue to be blessed in many ways but you’ll become a blessing for many. You’ll become a saint and a source of light for people around you.

For saints are people that let the light of God shine through them. May we this Sunday as we remember all the saints of the Church give thanks to our God for all those loved ones through whom He touched our lives. And may we together with them as we’re blessed by our Lord abundantly step out of the crowd and become a blessing for people around us.

Amen