Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Who is a saint? You are, dear Baptized! In Baptism, God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost takes you, the repentant sinner—poor in spirit as you are—and blesses you with the forgiveness of sins that rescues you from death and the devil and gives you eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.
Last All Saints’ Day I was called out by the local police department, for which I am a volunteer chaplain. A 4-month-old boy was found lying on the floor blue, not breathing. The EMTs whisked to the scene to perform CPR and and life-flighted him to the hospital. Meanwhile I was speaking to the frightened and troubled mother and father. The first thing I asked is if they would like for me to get that baby whom they called “Little T” baptized.
In the past this young mother had heard the Word of God and had been baptized. Her parents, the grandparents of the baby, were practicing Catholics and so the question grabbed this mother’s heart. I said, “You know, this is the way of Christ instilling faith and rescuing even this little baby who can’t respond. This is God’s way of pouring His love upon Him, forgiving his sins, and bringing him into the kingdom of heaven. Would you like for me to baptize “Little T?”
Never a church-goer, Dad said, “Yeah. Can you do that?!” “You betcha!” I exclaimed as I ran out the door to race to the hospital.
In ICU, on All Saints’ Day 2008, God worked to save the life of one very poor in spirit. Through Baptism, He made “Little T” a saint--born again into the kingdom of heaven just like you—in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, we implore You to keep Your household the Church in continual godliness, that through Your protection she may be free from all adversities and devoutly given to serve You in good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for ALL SAINTS’ DAY)