All Saints: 1 John 3:1-3 and Matthew 5:1-12. The series of images I drew on in worship, and which inspired the sermon, are by the artist Hyatt Moore and can be found here: They make up a beautiful and moving series and it is worth reading the story of how they came to be produced.
Celebration© 2014 John August Swanson | Eyekons
All Saints: See what love the Father has give us, that we should be called children of God.
In her brief statement yesterday, +Sarah talked about our calling to bring hope and light; as we face new restrictions, we are called to keep the flame of faith burning.
To pray that the Spirit will kindle in our hearts that flame of love, for our own generation yes; but for those to come. And we do that in unity with all those who have gone before us.
In some ways, that calling is to embrace an alternate reality: for to love as God loves will as one writer puts it ‘chaff against the present reality’.
Although what we hope for is yet to be fully revealed, we are to commit to entering that reality now.
With all the saints, we are invited to step into the light.
It is about wanting to know the heart of God; and to see God’s kingdom come.
Jesus goes up goes up the mountain to teach his disciples. These are are people who have already encountered and responded to him. But on that hillside the crowds overhear. They too glimpse this alternative reality - life under God’s loving and just reign.
The words that Jesus speaks are full of blessing; but they also demand a commitment.
Transformation is possible when we step into the light of God.
In the words we hear today, hard circumstances and are transformed into blessing.
In these words we hear, acts of service are named as a blessing.
Words blessing human life.
These blessings - the beatitudes - are more than instructions. They are as much painting this new world; describing and lending colour to this alternative reality.
As one person said, they are a ‘report from the other side of radical commitment for those who have entered into life within God’s community of love and justice’.
Jesus declares a blessing on those who’re protected under the law of love - the bereaved, the poor, those seeking and longing for justice.
Jesus declares a bless on those who seek to fulfil the law of love; showing mercy and building peace; those who bear the cost of radical love in enduring persecution.
And often there will be a rub; a sharp edge; because we love the world, because God loved the world, we pray for grace to serve in need and protest when needed.
There are implications to our desire to live under the reign of God.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of heaven:
The uncertain; the curious;
Those who’re struggling;
The overburdened or under-occupied.
The wearied; the anxious.
Those with a glimmer of hope.
You, they, we: are blessed.
Blessed are those who mourn: they will be comforted:
Those who face death day by day;
those who’ve wept for loved one;
those who've loved and lost, and keep loving.
Those who’ve laboured in love from cradle to grave.
Those who are holding it together for the sake of someone else;
Those who don’t get over it; those who wait with them.
You, they, we: are blessed.
Blessed are the meek: they will inherit the earth:
The unnoticed; the silent ones.
The ones whose bodies we do not see.
The homeless, jobless, seeker;
The sofa surfer and self-doubting;
The hopeful ones;
Those persisting with acts of kindness.
You, they, we: are blessed.
Blessed are those who hunger/thirst for righteousness: they will be filled:
The refugee and migrant; those courageously seeking a new life;
Those who give away generously; those who receive in need;
The accused and imprisoned; the advocate and volunteer;
The fostered and adopted; the high-achiever and all rounder; the one who gets by;
Those longing for safety; and making the world safer.
Blessed are the merciful: they will receive mercy:
The teachers and the medics; the social workers and the nurses;
The rubbish collectors and hospital porters.
The parts of ourselves we don’t give away, or reveal.
The overlooked the over stretched;
The patient time-takers; the persistent care-givers.
Those who speak out and speak up.
Those who hear.
You, they, we: are blessed.
Blessed are in heart: they shall see God.
The searching; those who thirst and wait.
The dreamers and the visionaries;
The radicals and the writers;
The artists and the environmentalists;
Those who show their needs and pray.
You, they, we: are blessed.
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called children of God.
Those who seek for peace;
who live to serve, who love to set free;
who give that others may live.
The bridge builders; reconcilers;
Those who embrace conflict as creative;
Those who strive with hope not fear.
You, they, we: are blessed.
Blessed are the persecuted: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When one’s life is characterised by the attributes highlighted in the beatitudes, two things are assured: blessedness on the one hand and persecution on the other.
Blessed are those who are persecuted; for the faith or ethnicity, gender or sexuality; for their commitment justice and peace.
You, they, we: are blessed.
In a way, the beatitudes turn the world upside down. The promise the good news being lived out in relationship.
The alternative reality the present, these blessings are balm to our souls: comfort for the grief stricken; the hope of justice, the longing for peace.
We are invited to live this reality - in a world where the poor are still oppressed, where violence stalks the streets and where consumption harms our planet.
The pastor and writer, Anna Case-Winters frames that invitation in a series of questions:
What gestures will we offer that accompany these words? What commitments will we make? What risks will we take? what dreams will we dream?
In all our days; in all our ways - may we see God and see God’s kingdom.
Blessed to bless - that God’s will is done.
Kindling a flame of love and faith.
Being light and hope.
© Julie Gittoes 2020
