Matthew 5:6-12 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” vs. 11
As we take time on this All Saints Day to remember all the people with whom we’ve been associated through the years who now rest from their labors, we’re bound to be overwhelmed with a sense of gratefulness and deep gratitude. All of us have been touched in powerful ways by family members, friends, and acquaintances who have honored God with their commitments to peace, mercy, justice, and purity. And we can be confident that they have been blessed by God for all that they have done. It’s not that they always experienced the best in their lives–the world isn’t like that. In fact it has often been said that “no good deed goes unpunished.” Sometimes those who have dedicated their lives to leading good and decent lives have suffered beyond their due at the hands of the cruel and the indifferent. We’ve seen all too clearly how the anonymity of the internet and social media has provided easy access for bullying and slander. It seems that any who take leadership in working for goodness can expect to be reviled by an onslaught of hate and vitriolic messaging. Jesus knew all about such behaviors, and told his followers to take heart. No matter what the world throws at us, blessings will abound–we are the children of God–and we’ll be well taken care of forever!
Thought for the Day: As a living saint, how am I being blessed?
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