Pope Francis: Beatitudes are the Path to Holiness

Pope Francis’ message for All Saints Day was straight from the Gospels. The Beatitudes, he told us, are the path to holiness.

From Vatican News:

Path of the Beatitudes

And this path to happiness as indicated by the day’s Gospel, the Pope said are the Beatitudes which is contrary to the way of the world.

The Gospel says blessed are the poor, while the world says blessed are the rich.  The Gospel says blessed are the meek, while the world says blessed are the proud .   The Gospel says blessed are the pure , while the world says blessed are the sly and pleasure seekers.

It may seem that the way of the beatitudes and holiness needs to lead to defeat, yet the First Reading depicts the saints holding “palm branches in their hands”, symbols of victory.  It is the saints who are victorious, not the world, and they exhort us to choose their side, that of God who is Holy.

Belonging to heaven or earth?

In this regard, the Pope urged for an examination of conscience, whether we are on the side of heaven or of earth, whether we live for the Lord or for ourselves, for eternal happiness or for some gratification now.