Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5, 1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.”
Be blessed!
1) He sat down. Jesus takes the attitude of a teacher; He takes time to teach. To be able to teach in life, you have to sit down, you have to stop rushing around and take your time. Yes, I’m referring to you! You can also teach others because God has put something special in you that is uniquely yours, and God has given you that gift in order to serve society. But to do so, you have to slow down, sit and take the time to teach. Have you realized that sometimes you don’t even have time to sit down and chat with others? You don’t make time to meet a friend, or to chat with your son or daughter, or your wife or husband. Let’s remember that life is short, and you have something to say to this world, you’re in this world for a purpose. So, slow down…
2) Blessed. I’d like to quote Nº 162 of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, “Christus Vivit” – ‘Christ Lives’ – of the Holy Father Francis, to young people and to the entire people of God: “But I would also remind you that you won’t become holy and find fulfilment by copying others. Imitating the Saints does not mean copying their lifestyle and their way of living holiness: “There are some testimonies that may prove helpful and inspiring, but that we are not meant to copy, for that could even lead us astray from the one specific path that the Lord has in mind for us”. You have to discover who you are and develop your own way of being holy, whatever others may say or think. Becoming a saint means becoming more fully yourself, becoming what the Lord wished to dream and create, and not a photocopy. Your life ought to be a prophetic stimulus to others and leave a mark on this world, the unique mark that only you can leave. Whereas if you simply copy someone else, you will deprive this earth, and heaven too, of something that no one else can offer.”
3) Finding God in normal, everyday life. Today God reminds you that your sanctification comes about in what you normally do in life: in your home, at your workplace, in your daily life, and in the things you need to get done every day. It’s up to you whether each day is heaven or hell for you, so give it your all! Remember that something good is on the way!
God be with you and bless you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
