In Western Christianity, Christians celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1, 2023. The Beatitudes are typically selected as part of the alternative readings for the lectionary text for this sacred day.  

The Beatitudes emphasize the values and characteristics that are dear to God. They challenge Christians to strive for a deeper understanding of what it means to live a blessed and fulfilling life, reminding us that true blessedness often involves humility, compassion, righteousness, and a desire of God’s will.  

As Western Christianity recognizes All Saints’ Day and in the spirit of the Beatitudes, they can guide us in embracing death and the inevitable part of the human journey. The Beatitudes do not explicitly address death, but they can offer us a road map as to how we can approach the reality of death with hope and faith.  

Blessed are the poor in spirit: Embracing death begins with acknowledging our spiritual poverty and our need for God. Recognizing that we cannot face death alone, we need to lean into God’s presence and grace.  

Blessed are those who mourn: We often mourn the loss of loved ones, but the saints remind us that our mourning can be a path of comfort. Through our grief, we can find solace. 

Blessed are the meek: Meekness teaches us to be humble in the face of death, recognizing that it is a part of the divine order — something that cannot be escaped. The meek trust God’s will, trusting that death is not the end but a transition.  

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: As we face death, we hunger for the righteousness of God. The saints inspire us to live our lives in alignment with God’s will.  

Blessed are the merciful: In the face of death, we can extend mercy to those who are suffering and to ourselves. Mercy enables us to forgive, heal, console, just as God shows mercy to each and every one of us.  

Blessed are the peacemakers: Peacemaking is not just about resolving conflicts but also reconciling with the idea of death. The saints were peacemakers in their acceptance of death as a part of life.  

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: The saints of the bible and those who were granted sainthood, were often persecuted for their faith. When we face death with faith, we may also encounter opposition, but there is promise of eternal life.  

As we reflect on All Saints’ Day and the Beatitudes, may we be encouraged to embrace death as a step toward eternal life. We should be inspired by the lives of the saints and remember that the call to be a saint is not reserved for a few but extends to all. May we embrace this call, for when we do, we become part of the great cloud of witnesses, shining a light in the world and bearing witness to God’s grace and everlasting love.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Rev. Christina Schoenwetter is the Associate Pastor of Engagement at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.