(Audio)
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
This is no trivial thing said simply to console those who choose a more ascetic path.
After this I had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne,
and from the Lamb."
This multitude once mourned but is now comforted. It is made up of those who were meek but they have inherited heaven and earth. They fought for and desired righteousness. Now the bread of life and living water sate them for all eternity. These were the ones who showed mercy to others and have now received the fullness of mercy. By grace their hearts were cleaned and now they behold God forever.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
These are the ones who sought and strove after peace. It was not the peace of this world that they sought, but rather the peace that only Jesus could give. The peace they discovered is a peace that comes in the first place from knowing who we are.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Knowing that we are God's children we trust in his ability and desire to provide for us (see Luke 11:13). We make our requests known to him and his peace guards our hearts and minds (see Philippians 4:7).
The peace of God enables us to endure even persecution for the sake of the Kingdom. It enables us to proclaim the gospel in season and out of season (see Second Timothy 4:2), without fear.
Today we celebrate around the throne together with those in heaven who have made the teachings of Jesus concrete and real in their own lives. We give thanks for their example and teaching. We rely on their intercession as we ourselves pursue the path they trod.
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
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