Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 29 January, 2023

Gospel Mt 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."

Reflection: 

In the Beatitudes, Jesus presents the way to happiness contrary to what the modern world endorses. In the logic of the world, those whom Jesus proclaimed blessed are considered the losers. What is glorified is the glamourous success at any cost. Jesus lived by the Beatitudes himself and we hear and see them in his words and actions in the Gospel. Pope Francis in one of his reflections on the Beatitudes reminds us not to have an air of superiority over others, but rather to look to others’ weaknesses with tenderness and meekness He says, “We can and should correct the faults of others, but with love and a constant sense of our own limitedness and capacity to be tempted to the same kinds of things as those whom we might judge”. Let us pray that the virtue of meekness and humility may guide us towards a kinder approach towards all.

Action Plan: 

Gratitude of the heart produces joy. May we find joy in simple blessings of life today like; exchange of a cheerful greeting, in a fresh flower or a healthy home cooked meal.