#72 November 2, 2023 Drawing Closer to the Beatitudes.
This week we celebrated All Saint’s Day. To open our offering today, I have included a letter to the editor found in the Picton Gazette this week sent to me by my deeply empathetic Jewish friend. To conclude, a different approach to reading the Beatitudes. With blessings and affection, Deacon Kate Ann
LETTER: Support means worlds during painful weeks of terror TOPICS: Picton Gazette Letters to the EditorWeek-44-2023
November 1, 2023
It began with a simple gesture of support; a bouquet of flowers left at the entrance to the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville by an anonymous Christian family from Picton. It was just before Sabbath services were to begin. The previous sabbath in Israel Hamas terrorists murdered civilian men, woman and children, and took hundreds hostage. Most gruesome of all was the brutal sadistic decapitation of babies. Think 1939 and the Nazi atrocities against the Jews. This Christian family was clearly living their Christian values on their sleeves. They knew that this barbarism was the depths of depravity, targeted once again against the Jews. So, this act of support was more than a kind gesture. Much more. It was a statement of defiance. Of saying through an act of kindness that the murder of Jews is to be called out for what it is, confronted, and stamped out. When darkness prevails, you shed light. And that is what this anonymous Christian family from Picton did on that day with those flowers lovingly placed at the steps of Jewish worship on the Jewish sabbath.
Turns out they were not alone. St. Thomas’ Anglican Church members also brought flowers, and members of St. Joseph’s Church joined their Jewish neighbours at the sabbath service on the 20th. And there were more kind acts of support by others.
Hamas and its Iranian regime backers may be large and powerful, but right here in our small community through a simple act of kindness we said no to the slaughter of Jews.
So, to all the church members and that anonymous Christian family from Picton, I say good on you. Steven J. Schwartz – Consecon
ALL SAINT’S DAY Looking at Matthew 5 The Beatitudes or as a young friend calls them the BE – ATTITUDES
I selected the reading of the Beatitudes today as a roadmap to “Holy” or saintly behaviour.
To better understand what the beatitudes are saying you may replace the word “Holy” whenever you read the word “Blessed”.
This is how it might be read…. With the help of simpler descriptions passed on to me.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Holy are you who doubt and those who aren’t sure.
Holy are you who trust in God and not in worldly power, position and wealth.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Holy are you who are heartbroken over your own offences and the world’s suffering.
Holy are the lonely.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Holy are you who are self-controlled and God-controlled.
Holy are you who are forgotten.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
HOLY are you who long for rightness and goodness everywhere HOLY are the children who want to feel safe and loved.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
HOLY are the ones who forgive others from the bottom of their hearts. HOLY are the ones who understand that they are forgiven.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Holy are you who serve God and neighbour with the purest of motives. Holy are they who have buried their loved ones in an ocean of tears.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Holy are you who work for peace and harmony in human relationships.
Holy are those who can’t fall apart because they have to keep it together for everyone else.
COURAGE
SACRIFICE COMPASSION HUMILITY
LOVE
All marks of a saint
We may be flawed
but we are being made Holy.