All Saints Sunday

In this powerful All Saints Sunday reflection, we're invited to step away from the weight of the commandments and remember something transformative: we are blessed. Drawing from Matthew 5 and the Beatitudes, we discover that when Jesus began his public ministry, he didn't launch into condemnation or criticism. Instead, to crowds who had waited 400 years for God's voice, he spoke a single, revolutionary word: blessed. Whether we find ourselves among those who feel spiritually accomplished or among those beaten down by life's circumstances, Jesus declares the same truth over us. This blessing isn't just a feel-good sentiment—it's an eschatological reality, meaning it extends from this moment into eternity. We see this pattern woven throughout Scripture, from creation when God blessed the animals and humanity, to Noah after the flood, to Abraham and Sarah, and finally to Mary herself. The sermon reminds us that we are saints not because of our performance but because of God's declaration over us. As we remember loved ones who have gone before us in faith, we're encouraged to recognize that the same blessing that rested on them rests on us today. We carry God's presence into the world through baptism and communion, living as blessed people who bear blessing to others.