Gospel Reflection - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A



Matthew 5:1-12a

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount took place at the beginning of His ministry.  It was His longest recorded explanation of what it means to follow Him and lead a full Christian life here on Earth with a great reward in Heaven.  The sermon began with today’s Gospel on the Beatitudes.  It can be easy to just brush over this Gospel that we’ve heard and seen many times, thinking we really don’t need to hear it again.  In addition to the Gospel reading, the Beatitudes are often found on inspirational plaques, cards, and in music.  They can even be used as an examination of conscience in preparing for confession.

The Beatitudes contradict the secular call of the world, which views one’s level of happiness in light of having things and possessions.  The more we have, the happier we shall be…right?  Wrong!  That type of happiness is only fleeting. True joy can only be found when we answer the call of Jesus and conform our hearts with His.  The Beatitudes are a promise of peace with a Heavenly reward.  God never promised us that life on Earth would be easy.  I guarantee we’ve all had a time (most likely more than one!) in our lives when there have been struggles and trials.  How we face those times is what can make or break us.  If we face adversity with a joyful heart, we will live in a way contrary to those who do not have Jesus in their hearts.  That doesn’t mean that we are always happy about the situations, but we can live by that age old phrase to “Offer it up!”  Seek the joy in those times of difficulty, knowing in your heart that Jesus has offered you a beautiful reward with Him in Heaven.

What would happen if we replaced the word “Blessed” with the word “Joyful” in today’s Gospel?

Reread today’s Gospel.  Which Beatitude may God be calling you to work on in your life?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gospel Reflection - 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Image
Genesis 2:18-24 & Mark 10:2-16 Both the first reading and the Gospel speak to the sanctity of the bonds of marriage and family.  In the first reading, we hear about God creating Eve to be a suitable partner for Adam.  The two become one flesh, man and woman joined together to not only keep one another company, but to procreate and tend to the land.  In the Gospel, once again those Pharisees are trying to trip up Jesus.  His reply is an admonishment to their hardened hearts, reaffirming that marriage is for one man and one woman and that no human can separate what God has joined.   Unfortunately, we have become a throwaway society.  We overbuy food that ends up spoiled and tossed.  Clothing and furniture tears or breaks and rather than repairing them, we throw them out.  We get rid of things in good condition when the newest model is released (game systems, cell phone).  The same applies even to marriages and friendships.  I have...
Read more

10th National Eucharistic Congress Highlights

Image
On May 17, 2024, four pilgrimage routes began in Mississippi, Connecticut, Wisconsin, & California. The purpose was to cross our nation, presenting Jesus to the people of America, & meeting in Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress July 17. Along the way, with Jesus present in the monstrance, the perpetual pilgrims made stops at parishes, schools, & prisons. You can read more about the pilgrimage HERE . About 60,000 people gathered at The National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, to adore our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, attend Mass daily, pray together, & listen to great speakers.  Fr. Mike Schmitz, Monsignor James Shea, Bishop Robert Barron, Jonathan Roumie, Sr. Bethany Madonna, Chris Stefanik, & more shared their great love of our Lord & how much of an impact the Eucharist has had in their lives.  Unfortunately , I couldn't make it to Indiana, but I was able to watch many of the speakers live & on YouTube....
Read more

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Image
Well, here we are already...the 4th Sunday of Advent has arrived!  Have you finished your Christmas shopping & wrapped all the presents, baked your holiday delectables, mailed your Christmas greeting cards, decorated your home to rival any display of Martha Stewart's? If you're like most people, you probably answered that you're nowhere near being finished. But you know what? That's perfectly fine because none of those items are important in the grand scheme of things.  The bigger & most important question to be answered is, "Have you prepared your heart to receive Jesus on Christmas Day?" After all, without Jesus' humble birth in a stable over 2000 years ago, none of the other things above would have any significant meaning! Today's Gospel tells us that Mary, upon being told that she would bring our Savior into the world, set off in haste to her cousin, Elizabeth. Advanced in age, Elizabeth was experiencing a miraculous pregnancy, foretold by...
Read more