Saturday 31 October 2015

Thought for All Saints' Day

A fortnight ago, I visited the Church of the Beatitudes overlooking Galilee. It marks the traditional location of the Sermon on the Mount, which starts with the "Beatitudes" - "Blessed (happy) are those who..." We hear these words at Mass this weekend as we celebrate those blessed ones who lived the way Jesus taught and share his glory in heaven.
The Church of the Beatitudes is octagonal in shape, each interior wall displaying the text of one of the eight beatitudes.
I spent a little time trying to reflect on the beatitudes, and the challenging way of life to which they point.

As I left the Church, I spotted, high up over a door, another "Beatitude". Over a picture of our Lady I saw the words "Blessed is she who believed". Our blessedness is not found in gritting our teeth and working hard to achieve the standard of the traditional eight beatitudes. Rather, like Mary, we need to believe and trust in God's grace to achieve within us what lies beyond our striving.