"Fortunate are those who mourn they shall be comforted."

Is the second of Jesus's Beatitudes,

Promising divine consolation to those grieving or sorrowful.

Mourning is temporary and will lead to ultimate comfort from God.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Seek the Lord,

All you poor of the land, who fulfill his commands, do justice and be meek;

and perhaps you will find refuge on the day the Lord comes to judge.

I will leave within you a poor and meek people who seek refuge in God.

The remnant of Israel will not act unjustly nor will they speak falsely,

nor will deceitful words be found in their mouths.

They will eat and rest, with none to threaten them.

 

Ps 146:6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10

Praise the Lord, my soul

 

＊＊＊ 2nd Reading ＊＊＊

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Brothers and sisters, look and see whom God has called.

Few among you can be said to be cultured or wealthy, and few belong to noble families.

Yet God has chosen what the world considers foolish, to shame the wise;

he has chosen what the world considers weak, to shame the strong.

 

God has chosen common and unimportant people, making use of what is nothing,

to nullify the things that are, so that no mortal may boast before God.

But, by God's grace, you are in Christ Jesus, who has become our wisdom from God,

and who makes us just and holy and free. Scripture says: Let the one who boasts, boast of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain.

He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:

Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are those who mourn; they shall be comforted.

Fortunate are the gentle; they shall possess the land.

Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

 

Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.

Fortunate are those with pure hearts, for they shall see God.

Fortunate are those who work for peace; they shall be called children of God.

Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers.

Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

 Lectio Divina

 

 

The Gospel offers direction on how to make choices in life.

 Read: Zephaniah prophesies the ideal people of God, the poor of the land,

the anawim, who obey God's commands, do justice, and seek humility.

These people relied on God as their helper and provider. These are the same people that Paul referred to

as "the lowly and the despised of the world whom God chooses to shame the strong."

In the gospel, Jesus declares them Blessed: the poor in spirit,

the humble, the merciful, the peacemakers, those who work for justice..."

 

Reflect: A story was told about St. Pope John XXIII, who visited a prison in Rome when he became the Pope.

In his conversation with the prisoners, he said, "Since you cannot come to me, I have come to visit you."

And he added: "It has been a long time since I last visited a prison. The last time I did so was when I visited my cousin."

Pope John XXIII was not ashamed of that fact. For him, a genuine person in authority does not consider himself different or above others.

Pope John XXIII's story illustrates how our life experiences can help us make wise choices if we allow them to guide us.

 

Our decisions hold significance when they align with the Word of God.

The Gospel offers direction on how to make choices in life: to support those in sorrow,

to show mercy, and to strive for justice and peace. The choices we make for God,

for truth, for love, and for the welfare of our brothers and sisters will bring us closer to our blessedness.

 

Pray: Lord, help me to make the right choices today and every day.

 

Act: Make a conscious effort to do good and help your needy brothers and sisters.