Daily Gospel Reflection for November 1, 2026: Solemnity of All Saints

Explore the Beatitudes and their rewards. Discover how recognizing virtues in ourselves and others draws us closer to living like the saints.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When our children lived at home and we had a house guest, we invited visitors to participate in our family prayer time. As one way to record their visit, we pulled out our gratitude journal, and everyone, including the guest, named what they were most grateful for.

But when Isabel stayed at our house, we decided to read the Gospel of the day instead of recording our gratitudes. The Beatitudes was the reading that day. After my child read it, we decided it would be fun to guess what beatitude gift we each had. And what would be better than knowing our beatitude? Its corresponding reward, of course!

We listed the beatitudes and their corresponding rewards:

Beatitude. . . Reward
The poor in spirit . . . the Kingdom of heaven is theirs.
They who mourn . . . will be comforted.
The meek . . . will inherit the land.
They who hunger and thirst for righteousness . . . will be satisfied.
The merciful . . . will be shown mercy.
The clean of heart . . . will see God.
The peacemakers . . . will be called children of God.
They who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness . . . theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
The falsely insulted and persecuted . . . reward will be great in heaven.

Then we discussed each person’s most prominent beatitude while he/she sat there, expectant and mum. There was little dissension as to the beatitude that each person exhibited.

The funny thing was that most of us didn’t see the virtue others saw in us! We look at our own faces in the mirror but sometimes others see us more clearly. We see the hard work of maintaining ourselves spiritually – clean of heart and full of mercy. Yes, it’s hard work! But in focusing on the work, we look past the reward that is ours.

Ponder:

What is the beatitude you most exemplify? Is there a beatitude that most attracts you? Is there one that you would like to work on? Have you ever thought about the rewards of the beatitudes?  

Pray:

Dear Jesus, help me to recognize the beatitudes in myself and in others. Help me to know the circumstances in which You are calling me to live out a certain beatitude. Grant me the grace to live today seeking the things of heaven.   

Pray Together:

Dear Jesus, help me to become more like the saints, who lived the Beatitudes.

Copyright 2026 Frances Smit