All Saints Day

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth

When we think of saints, all of us have our own favourites. Some might even think this or that person shouldn't have been canonised etc. Beyond that, two interesting notions are

1. It is a great call, which is not within the reach of all.
2. A call for all

It's a call for all, to be an imitator of Christ, in their own life situations. The beatitudes tell us of the great ideals.

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

All of them are beautiful for reflections, but the one that caught my attention today is “blessed are the meek”. Meekness is not a quality of the weak. Moses and Jesus are described as meek. Some define meekness as a proper control over one’s own power. They know their strengths, limits and their relation to God (the creator). In a common language, they have the proper self-esteem, not inferiority or superiority complex, but all with a proper relation with their creator.

And the beatitude continues, “for they will inherit the earth”. Why Jesus was speaking of inheriting the earth, and not heaven. In the exodus story, they were walking towards a new earth (promised land). Jesus says the kingdom of God is here. And in the revelation, we speak of the new earth and heaven. Hopefully they help.

It's good to ask, what this beatitude speaks from a “Laudato Si” perspective or ecological perspective. May be, it has a re-invitation to have an appropriate relationship with the creation. For inheriting the earth, the quality is meekness, not domination or control. Ecologists will be happy to hear it.

How about a Fratelli Tutti (all r brothers and sisters) perspective? As we share our common home, there is an invitation to meekness in our relationships. Surely, it’s not easy always; but that struggle is worthwhile to follow.

Yes, saintliness is a call to all. Forget the super-difficult tasks etc (it may be called for from some), but it's possible (and all the more required) to travel that path with the basic human and creaturely decency.