God is a caring God. He sees us
and is always there for us. He guides us. We see in the readings that he gives
us instructions on how we should live, so when we meet him, we would be ready.
In
the first reading, we see that we should seek the Lord. And we see how we are
to act as we seek God. In the second reading, we are reminded how great and
powerful God is, and how we should relate to him. These are things we should
remember and do as we live.
In the gospel, we see Jesus
himself giving us the Beatitudes or what others call the “Be-Attitudes.” This
is how God wants us to be. It reminds me that as we live this life on earth,
everything will not be easy. We will experience challenges and persecutions, we will be frustrated with what
is happening around us. However, Christ exhorts us to be faithful and
to continue trusting in Him despite everything that is happening to us
and around us. At the same time, it reminds me that those who having a great
time, those who are worldly and powerful, will one day have to face God as
well, and will be accountable for their actions.
What
is happening on our lives here on earth is not the end. This is not everything.
God reminds us that there is a greater life after our life here on earth. All his
promises in the beatitudes does not necessarily mean comfort will come in this
life. Actually, if we examine the promises, all of those will come in the next
life. However, we need to be faithful and remain living in God’s light as we
live on earth to realize and experience those promises.
May we be encouraged and
strengthened, and follow God’s instructions for our lives in preparation for
eternity with Him.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live and love. Thank you for your promises
and encouragement. Thank you for taking care of us and knowing and providing
what we need to get by. Thank you for the instructions. Lord, sorry for not
always following your ways. Sorry for being hard headed. Lord, I pray that I be
faithful to you. Help me follow your instructions. May I be firm in faith and
focus on you as I live this life on earth, having faith that I will claim and
receive your promises as I do so. Amen.
Blessed
Sunday!
In
Christ,
-g-
January 29, 2017
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 70
Reading 1 Zep 2:3; 3:12-13
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 Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
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 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 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 the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2 1 Cor 1:26-31
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 Mt 5:12a
Rejoice and be glad;
your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 5:1-12a
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."
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