What does it mean to be "blessed"? In today's Gospel, Jesus makes bold declarations about the unexpected places we can experience being "blessed" -- "blessed are the poor, blessed are the hungry, blessed are those who weep...." Given that most of us try to avoid such conditions, what is it that Jesus has in mind? On the occasion of All Saints and All Souls, we ponder together the unexpected gifts of blessing encountered in even the most difficult moments in our life.