As so many “official saints” have been priests, religious, and celibates, it’s critically important that we have the words of the Beatitudes in today’s gospel to remind us of what holiness looks like.  Nowhere in the Beatitudes is there a word about celibacy.  There is certainly nothing about one’s vocational state (priest, sister, etc.).  Instead, we have attributes such as “poor in spirit,” “meek,” and “merciful.”  These are the hallmarks of sanctity.  And they can be practiced by anybody, religious or lay, Catholic or Protestant, even Christian or non- Christian.  We recall that the Gospel of Matthew is much more about actions than words.