January 29, 2023
Matthew 5: 1-12
Today the Church, our mother, celebrates the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel of the day is the Sermon on the Mount. In this passage, Jesus uses the term “blessed” nine times to show how important it is to listen to the Word of God and live it. God wills that every person be saved. And in order to save fallen humanity, Jesus invites everyone to live the Beatitudes, the means of achieving eternal life. This is accomplished not only in important things but even more, in small deeds performed with love.
It is true that all the saints have heard Jesus’ teaching, the sermon on the mount, at some time. To be happy as a consecrated or lay person, one must live one’s faith in God. The beatitudes bring us closer to God and invite us to stand up and live virtuous lives.
Today’s Gospel speaks to us of the reality of the saving mystery. This same text is read on the Feast of All Saints. This shows us that all the saints since the Virgin Mary who have already passed on to eternal life, form a community. They are united and intercede for us. This profound unity should help us feel close to all the saints who, during their earthly lives, believed and hoped. This also shows that they loved God the Father – and others – by imitating the love of Christ. The Beatitudes form the beginning of the first great sermon of Jesus on the mount, as recounted by the Evangelist Matthew. In this Gospel, Christ shows the way which leads to endless happiness. The beatitudes are at the center of the preaching of Jesus; they bring to perfection God’s promises since the time of Abraham, our father in faith. They reveal the face of Jesus, characterize the authenticity of the Christian life and demonstrate the ultimate end of one’s actions.
Aren’t all people called to live the Beatitudes? Certainly, all are called to be artisans of peace and to accomplish divine justice. The justice of God is merciful and this is what we should show toward others.
Let us consider the words of Pope Francis. Gentleness, humility, mercy, justice should be practiced towards everyone. To become holy does not mean to accomplish great things. But the most important thing in our life or in the world is to show love towards others.
Saint John in Jn 15:17 invites us to live love, to love others as God loves us. In verse 12, Jesus says, “Rejoice in joy for your reward will be great in heaven.” These words are a great challenge to inherit the Kingdom of God and contemplate his glory.
Let us ask God for the grace to love one another, to live the Gospel and the Beatitudes fully, and finally, to become virtuous so as to better serve our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Matthew 5:1-12
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Meet Sister Godelieve Ziunga, SNDdeN
