Similar to last week, this Sunday is another day vs text situation. We will celebrate All Saints, with the lighting of candles and the memory of those who have died, but we also have this well known text. Can we tie the two together?

As Luke is the most narrative of the gospels, this passage has a very descriptive opening. “Then Jesus looked at his disciples and said…” With moments like these I am always wondering what Jesus would say to me when he looks up and sees me or how do I connect with the crowd that Jesus is speaking to? What follows is known as the beatitudes. Matthew’s version is probably more well known but they are very similar. Do you take comfort or concern with these words? On one have promises that challenging situation wont last forever, but we hear the same contrast regarding positive situations. Maybe we are simply reminded that situations change

For the last part of this reading, I am hearing these words as a guide for how to see ourselves through a difficult situation. Maybe living out our faith can help us put one foot in front of the other when we are going through a difficult time. Not to rush through it or to get over it, but to process the challenge and the struggle. These words are very challenging but following Jesus was never meant to be easy.