Eight Beatitudes. Eight steps. One destination: Holiness with God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season  : 31st Week:  Sunday*

*Gospel :  Mt 5:1-12*

*First Reading : Revelation 7: 2-4; 9-14*

*Responsorial Psalm : 24: 1-6*

*Second Reading : 1 John 3:1-3*

*Eight Beatitudes. Eight steps. One destination: Holiness with God*

*1) The Eight Steps to Sainthood*

*Step 1: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit – The Ladder of Humility* : Poverty of spirit means recognising that everything we have comes from God. It means being humble enough to acknowledge our weaknesses and our need for God's grace. It means not becoming proud of our wealth, education, position, talents or achievements.

*Step 2: Blessed are Those Who Mourn – The Ladder of Compassion* : It means having a heart that feels the pain of others. It also means mourning over our sins and sincerely repenting. A saint cannot remain indifferent to the suffering of another person.

*Step 3: Blessed are the Meek – The Ladder of Gentleness* : Meekness does not mean weakness. It means having the strength to control our anger, reactions and words. Jesus was meek, yet He was courageous in defending truth.

*Step 4: Blessed are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness – The Ladder of Justice* : Righteousness means living according to God's will. It means standing for truth, justice and what is right. A saint does not compromise with evil merely to gain personal benefits.

*Step 5: Blessed are the Merciful – The Ladder of Forgiveness* : Mercy means looking at others with the eyes of compassion. It means forgiving those who hurt us. It means giving others another opportunity, just as God gives us opportunities.

*Step 6: Blessed are the Pure in Heart – The Ladder of Purity* : Purity of heart means having sincerity in our thoughts, intentions and actions. It means avoiding hypocrisy, jealousy, hatred and selfish motives. It means having one heart, not wearing different masks before different people.

*Step 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers – The Ladder of Reconciliation* : Jesus does not say blessed are those who simply enjoy peace, but those who make peace. There is a difference between maintaining silence and creating reconciliation. A peacemaker takes the initiative to heal broken relationships.

*Step 8: Blessed are Those Persecuted for Righteousness – The Ladder of Faithfulness* : Following Jesus is not always easy. Sometimes standing for truth invites criticism, rejection and suffering.Saints remained faithful to God even when the world opposed them.

*2) Deeper Reflections on Sainthood*

*Saints are not born; saints are made.* : Nobody becomes a saint overnight. Saints are people who repeatedly chose goodness over evil, forgiveness over revenge, humility over pride and love over hatred.

*Saints are not perfect people; they are people who never stop trying to become holy.* : Many saints had weaknesses, struggles and failures. What made them saints was their willingness to repent, rise again and allow God to transform their lives.

*Sainthood is not reserved for priests and religious.* : A mother who lovingly raises her children, a father who honestly earns his living, a teacher who sacrifices for students, a worker who refuses corruption, and a person who forgives an enemy can all walk the path of sainthood.

*Sainthood is not about doing extraordinary things but doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.* : St Thérèse of Lisieux reminds us through her Little Way that holiness can be achieved through small acts of love in everyday life.

*We do not become saints by climbing over others but by lifting others.* : The ladder to sainthood is not a ladder of competition. It is a ladder of service. Every time we help someone rise, we take another step towards heaven.

*The saints are not only our models; they are our companions.* : The Church teaches that the saints are part of the Communion of Saints. They inspire us by their example and intercede for us through their prayers.

*3) Eight Steps, One Destination*

Imagine a person climbing a ladder. Every step takes that person closer to the destination. The same is true of the Beatitudes.

- When I become humble, I take one step towards heaven.

- When I show compassion, I take another step.

- When I control my anger, I climb another step.

- When I stand for justice, I climb another step.

- When I forgive, I climb another step.

- When I purify my heart, I climb another step.

- When I create peace, I climb another step.

- When I remain faithful in suffering, I reach another level of holiness.

But remember one important thing: We do not climb this ladder by our strength alone. God's grace enables us to take every step. Sainthood is both God's gift and our daily response to His grace.

*4) Questions for Personal Examination*

1. Am I humble or proud?

2. Am I sensitive to the suffering of others?

3. Can I control my anger?

4. Do I stand for truth and justice?

5. Am I ready to forgive those who hurt me?

6. Is my heart pure, sincere and free from hypocrisy?

7. Do I create peace or division wherever I go?

8. Do I remain faithful to God during difficult moments?

The Feast of All Saints is not simply a celebration of what others have achieved; it is an invitation to what we are all called to become. 

Don't just admire the saints. Become one!

"If I were to die today, which of these eight steps would I have successfully climbed, and which step must I begin climbing tomorrow?"

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*