Reading 1
Zep 2:3; 3:12-13
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.
Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
Responsorial PsalmR. (Mt 5:3)
Blessed 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 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
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.”
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.”
Meditation: Matthew 5:1-12
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12)
There is no money in heaven, so the rich cannot lord it over the poor. There are no PhD’s in heaven, so the educated cannot lord it over the uneducated. There are no private golf clubs, Rolex watches, or limousines in heaven. The status and prestigious things that matter so much in this world simply don’t matter there.
Scripture tells us that in heaven, we will be like Jesus, “for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). We will be living in the city of God, a place of peace and rest and perfect joy.
So what will our reward in heaven be like? We will finally be free of all temptation and sin. Fear, disease, and sickness will be but a distant memory. There will be no need for doctors, police officers, armies, judges, or lawyers because everyone will be perfectly happy, peaceful, and healthy. There is no pain, suffering, or tears in heaven—no divorce or division of any kind. We will live in perfect communion with God and with each other forever and ever.
In heaven, we will see Jesus in all of his glory. We will be able to understand his love and his cross in new and profound ways. We will join thousands of angels, our friends and relatives, and all the saints. Who wouldn’t want to talk with Mother Teresa or Francis of Assisi or Paul? And surprisingly, they will want to talk with us, because there is no celebrity in heaven. Everyone is equal. Everyone is valued just as deeply.
Jesus wants to tell us what he once told his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Our heavenly Father delights in us, just as any earthly father delights in his children. Of course he wants to give us all good things! So rejoice today. You have a wonderful reward awaiting you!
“Jesus, I marvel at your salvation. Come and fill me with your joy!”
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Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12)
1. In the first reading, Zephaniah the Prophet reminds us of our responsibility to seek the Lord, to seek justice, and to seek humility. How important are these in your daily life? If you were to summarize your work plan for the upcoming week, would these items be on your schedule? What can you do to make them more a part of your week?
2. The responsorial psalm continues the theme of service to others. Caring for others means less time focused on ourselves. What are the some ways that you can make the spiritual and physical needs of your family and others more central in the ways you use your time?
3. In the letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul implies that God prefers the unwise, weak, and foolish of the world to accomplish his will. He also seems to imply that God has problems with the wise, powerful, strong, and those of noble birth. What do you think St. Paul means by these words? How do they apply to you?
4. St. Paul says that, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians1:31). How much credit do you give to the Lord for the successes and victories in your life?
5. The beatitudes in the Gospel reading are so familiar to us that we easily pass over the radical nature of what is being asked of us. They describe, perhaps more than any other Scriptures, what it means to be a Christian, and be Christlike. If the day were ever to come when Christians were put on trial for their faith in this country, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Why or why not? What can you do to change how you would do in this trial?
6. The meditation ends with these words: “Our heavenly Father delights in us, just as any earthly father delights in his children. Of course he wants to give us all good things! So rejoice today. You have a wonderful reward awaiting you!” Do you believe that your heavenly Father delights in you and that you have a heavenly reward awaiting you? Why or why not? What are the obstacles to your believing this? What steps can you take to overcome them?
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