Ord.Wk 4th: Sunday 29th January, 2023 January 29, 2023
Reflection on the WORD
Beatitudes – Faith: In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaimed the “Beatitudes” to reveal that God’s Kingdom and Ways are not like the superficial and self-centred ways of the secular and materialistic world. Ponder on: The profound beauty of Jesus’ Beatitudes that can only be perceived through the eyes of faith, and a heart that loves Him.
Matthew 5:1-12a
Seeing the crowds, Jesus went onto the mountain. And when he was seated his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth as inheritance.
Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognised as children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is their's.
Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- We can only understand the “Beatitudes” of the Lord if we view Christ as the Compassionate Lord who has very special love for the suffering, the simple hearted and the helpless and poor of the world.
- How often do we interpret life and what is happening around us and in the world through very secular perceptions of life? If so, it is not any wonder that we feel anxious about our lives.
- Pray for the graces we need to see Christ in ourselves, in others and in the world. This new perception will bring us renewed hope in our lives.