Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 70
Reading 1
Seek the LORD, all you humble
of the earth,
who have observed his law;
seek justice, seek humility;
perhaps you may be sheltered
on the day of the LORD's anger.
But I will leave as a remnant in your midst
a people humble and lowly,
who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:
the remnant of Israel.
They shall do no wrong
and speak no lies;
nor shall there be found in their mouths
a deceitful tongue;
they shall pasture and couch their flocks
with none to disturb them.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (Mt 5:3) Blessed are
the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets captives free.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
The LORD shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
Consider your own calling,
brothers and sisters.
Not many of you were wise by human standards,
not many were powerful,
not many were of noble birth.
Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the
wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,
so that no human being might boast before God.
It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became for us wisdom from God,
as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption,
so that, as it is written,
"Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad;
your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
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."
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,
Humbling ourselves enables us to achieve great things in our lives. It is through pride and arrogance that we encounter sin, which then leads to our destruction. Being humble allows us to be open to what God wants us to do. We are more apt to hear His voice and respond to what He is saying. Accepting a lowly status in this world is the key to greatness in the eyes of God. Jesus spoke of this when He instructed us not to accept a position of honor when being invited to a wedding feast, but instead take the lowest position, thus earning the esteem of all at the table. There is no need to be boastful, nor to focus on things that, in the end, are of no consequence. The important things are the things that reveal the Kingdom of God: feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, comforting the sick, visiting the incarcerated, and burying the dead. All these are done in a quiet, discreet manner. It is through our actions that we set the example for everyone to follow. These are considered works of mercy, for we all are providing each other with comfort and sustenance. Doing these things while maintaining our spiritual health through correction, instruction, counseling, comforting, forgiving, and suffering leads us on the path to perfection. We are also more apt to see the face of Jesus in all those whom we serve.
Jesus’ instructions today takes the wisdom of this world and turns it upside down. Strength is found in weakness, greatness is discovered in meekness, glory is seen when there is none. We are elevated when we lower ourselves. As the Apostle Paul said,
“God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise,
and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong,
and God chose the lowly and despised of the world,
those who count for nothing,
to reduce to nothing those who are something,”
While there are those who pursue earthly things, we are invited into something more worthwhile that has at its roots a spiritual essence that brings us into constant contact with God. It is here where we can find true joy. God blesses those who are without power and influence. Pursuing the virtues he listed and keeping these things close to our hearts while doing good works enables us to live our lives with Him at its center. The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. It is through acting out our faith that this happens.
Deacon Tom
No comments:
Post a Comment