November 5, 2026
All Saints' - Part 4
Matthew 5:10-12
11/05/2026
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV)
The saints of God are not of this world. Certainly, Christians live in this world, but their priorities are different. Because the goal of a Christian is to love God by serving his neighbor, he is often at odds with society. Our prayer this week reflects that our goal is to be part of Christ's body, the Church.
Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You.
Because Christians don't fit in to the mold of the world, they may be outcasts or persecuted for their faith. Jesus told His disciples:
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Thus we should not be surprised when we are shunned in the workplace, or when we are excluded from those things which may not bring glory to God. We also should not be amazed that Christians are held to a higher standard by the world, even though Christians are at the same time saint and sinner. Can we expect anything less in a world which rejects the truth of God's grace?
May our Lord strengthen us in our faith when we are marginalized for our beliefs. Amen.