Untitled Sermon (2)

I. Springfield Mass, Cooperstown, NY,; Canton Ohio, Toronto, Ontario; St. Augustine Florida

A. All have something in common.

B. Cities with a Hall of Fame.

1. Springfield, MA-- Basketball Hall of Fame

2. Cooperstown, NY --Baseball Hale of Fame

3. Canton, OH -- Football Hall of Fame

4. Toronto, Ontario -- Hockey Hall of Fame

5. St. Augustine, FL -- World of Golf Hall of Fame.

C. These are places where the best in each of the sports is honored and their life and career is celebrated.

II. Today we are celebrating those who are in the Hall of Fame of Heaven.

A. We could say the first reading describes this Hall of Fame

1. Where the great crowd who has passed through the persecution and challenges of this life

2. have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”

B. These are the men and woman who lived the Gospel.

1. The canonized saints whose names and deeds we know.

2. Also, the countless men and woman who did heroic deeds and served God faithfully… who didn’t get special recognition

C. We take a day like today to honor them and all saints for their witness and example.

III. We are all called to be saints.

A. Jesus taught and preached about growing in holiness which is growing in our participation in the life of God.

B. Or as St. John reminds us in the second reading,

1. that holiness is recognizing that we are God’s Children…

2. and we are called to live as God's children here on earth.

IV. Jesus gave us a plan of action for Growing in holiness

A. This plan is called the Beatitudes

1. being poor in spirit- depending on God alone

2. mourning for our sins

3. meek-accepting the truth of our lives, that we are creatures and we are not God.

4. hunger and thirst for righteousness, justice, and integrity

5. being merciful and forgiving, as God forgives us

6. being pure of heart; having undivided hearts, respect for our bodies, the bodies others, and respect for the gift of sexuality.

7. working for peace, well-being for all

8. At time we will be persecuted, as Jesus was persecuted, but know that we have the strength of God and he will perfect our ability to stand fast and have courage.

V. The Beatitudes are Jesus' plan for us, to help us grow in holiness.

A. They are a way that we can live out our call to be saints.

B. I would like to suggest that each day as you begin the day, read the Beatitudes ...

1. copy and print them on a piece of paper or read them from your bible.. Matthew 5: 1-12.

2. Use them as a reminder so you can practice them during the day.

C. Then at night, before you go to bed, reread the beatitudes as an examination of conscience.

D. This could also serve as an excellent examination of conscience before confession.

VI. AS we honor the saints today, may their lives inspire us

A. to use God’s grace

B. and follow the values of the beatitudes

C. to become saints in the Hall of Fame of Heaven.