The Feast of All Saints has its origins in a 5th century feast of “All Martyrs”. In the 7th century, by which time the era of martyrdom had largely passed, it became “All Saints”.

In the Beatitudes, Matthew has transformed Jesus' short messianic manifesto into a program for life – a list of virtues which belong to those called into the Kingdom.

This is how people of the Kingdom live; these are the qualities which mark their lives.

The text is chosen for the Feast of All Saints for just that reason. We recognise in it the kind of life to which we are called. We recognise saints as those people who lived by these qualities – whether or not they are formally canonised by the Church.

The Feast of All Saints celebrates all those ‘saints’, including many we have known, who have entered fully into the Kingdom.

This Gospel is often used at funerals. Many people think this is because of the reference to ‘those who mourn’. But that is not why the Church lists it as appropriate for funerals. Funerals are about celebrating the life of those who lived according to the Gospel. That is what this Gospel is all about.

Today we also give thanks to God for all those saints who have shaped and influenced us in the way we live our Christian lives.

This traditional description of Christian living blesses those who live according to the great Christian virtues of humility, justice, righteousness, forgiveness, mercy and peace. This is the way into God’s eternal life here on earth and into eternal life with God - so, rejoice and be glad!