Reflection Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A
Yesterday we heard the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12a; The Beatitudes.
We have heard and reflected on them before; a passage used for many Liturgical and Formational moments of our lives. Perhaps as we heard the Gospel we could recite the words as they have become engrained in us. These eight phrases are simple in nature, yet incredibly complex.
The Beatitudes are the heart of Jesus’ preaching, guidance for our journey, blessings for us all. Living according to the Beatitudes helps us to be the person God wants us to be. Will we have challenges along the way??? Of course…. but we will have the support of the angels and saints who intercede for us.
What the world sees as tragic or empty, Jesus sees as blessed: humility, mourning, gentleness, peacefulness and other virtues. Jesus lived by these qualities and we can notice them in His words and actions during His life on earth. The Beatitudes are blessing or gifts offered by God, each one nurtured through prayer. They teach us that happiness (beatitude) lives in the awareness of who we are and what we are supposed to do in our lives. When we share our blessings with those God places in our lives, striving to uplift them as Jesus did, we are being the face of God for others.
Gracious God, Help me to be salt of the earth and light for the world, Sharing what You have abundantly given me as I proclaim the Good News; Giving life to the seeds You have sown within me as I am your face to those you place in my life.