The word that Christ our Lord would like to have us hear this All Saints’ Sunday is a firm word, gently spoken, lovingly applied. Faintly we recall that he said something similar to this before, in a sermon everyone applauds, but few apply, The Sermon on the Mount.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit," we remember, and we like that. It doesn’t touch our assets. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness," and we could use a little righteousness like ours around the nation and the church today. "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." It’s good to know when the dark clouds roll above us that behind them is a shining sun.

But wait a minute! This word seems to have a different pitch. "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God," and "Woe to you that …