Feast of All Saints

01Nov
Blessed are those who know their need
for theirs is the grace of heaven.

Blessed are the humble
for they are close to the sacred earth.

Blessed are those who weep
for their tears will be wiped away.

Blessed are the forgiving
for they are free.

Blessed are those who hunger for earth’s oneness
for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the clear in heart
for they see the Living Presence.

Blessed are those who suffer for what is right
for theirs is the strength of heaven.

Blessed are the peacemakers
for they are born of God. 

-A version of the Beatitudes based on Matthew 5:3-10 by John Philip Newell


Today is the Feast of All Saints and we will celebrate at Trinity with a Choral Evensong at 4:00pm. Let's take some time to remember those who have blessed our lives, and the many ways they have done so. 


Beatitude means “supreme blessing’. Who has blessed your life with theirs? As we ponder the Beatitudes, how have the departed blessed YOU?


It is helpful to me when people know their need can state it. “I need a visit. I need a prayer. Help!” This blessing may be disguised as an interruption. And yet when we respond our response blooms into relationship that in turn blesses us.


In your life, who has kept you close to the earth? Grounded in soil and seed, fruit and flower, we give thanks for the people who grow and prepare our food, and those who taught us their favorite recipes!


Who held us when we wept and helped us turn our weeping to joy? Though we may grieve the loss of a loved one, we can learn to cherish and celebrate the joy they brought to our lives.


Who taught us how to forgive? And how many times do we need to practice in order to seal the lesson?


And what about those who yearn for unity and help bring it about? Someone taught me that “those who sing the Psalms together, pray twice,” amplifying the prayer as One voice expressed in harmony.


I am grateful for clarity of faith and those who taught me the Love of Christ as a Living Presence and the love of scripture as a Living Word.


I think about those who showed me how to work for justice. Who is hanging on to the margins of society and what must I change in myself in order to make things right?


And finally, who were people in your life who showed you the way of peace? What can you take into yourself in order to embody that peace and magnify it in the world? That will certainly be a supreme blessing!

Musical Reflection - The Beatitudes - The Paul Winter Consort


Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son, Christ our Lord: give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

SaintsPentecost

Posted by Maria Elliott

Maria Elliott has been Trinity since 1994, first as a parishioner and then for sixteen years establishing the office of stewardship and development, and currently as the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life. 

WIth a degree in Music and Business from Drake University in her native state of Iowa, Maria went first to New York to work for a concert artist management and then for the Arts department at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  At the Cathedral, Maria was confirmed, met and married her husband, The Reverend Michael Kuhn, and began an accidental career in the Episcopal Church. She has served on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, as a Stephen Minister, and currently Education for Ministry Mentor.

Maria’s interests include playing the oboe in the New Orleans Civic Symphony and she is currently training to be a Narrative Enneagram mentor. Her daughters, Hallie Wilkins and Sophie Bedaña are Trinity School alumni. Maria has two grandchildren, Celeste and Alden Wilkins.

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