Gospel; 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.
Migraine Headaches Unlike normal headaches, migraines are caused by enlarged blood vessels that push nerve fibers in the spinal cord and order levitra online brain. Making use of generic free viagra prescription measured best amongst all. It is seen that some men take the medicine from local pharmacy. viagra from canada pharmacy This medicine generic viagra cheap is known as ‘Kali Musli’. 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.”
Homily
The announcement that the Catholic Archdiocese of Port of Spain was supporting a group of Catholics in their desire to bring out a band for Carnival 2011 generated a national debate which is still ongoing. While this has many positive aspects to it, there have arisen nonetheless some very unhealthy attitudes. What has become clear is that there is a religious polarization which cuts across all religions. While there is nothing wrong with moral outrage, there is something wrong when sincere people cannot dialogue respectfully over moral and religious issues which each side holds dear without calling each other names and attributing underhand motives to each other. What is at stake for each side is an issue which is considered non-negotiable and which each side has made into the litmus test by which to judge the moral and religious goodness of everyone else. That judging of everyone else according to a litmus test which we have created goes against the very bible which tells us that we must not judge as the measure which we use to judge will be the very one used to judge us. What we need is a litmus test to judge ourselves so that we know whether or not we are getting any nearer to the ideal proposed by Christ Jesus.
In the Gospel reading for this weekend, the church presents for our meditation the litmus test for Christian living, the beatitudes. In these beatitudes Jesus proposes to his disciples a kindlier, gentler way of life and signals nine aspects of this gentler way of life that are essential if God’s reign is to established here on earth. This call to a gentler and kindlier way of life however ends with a challenge. Can you love an enemy? Can you truly forgive someone who has hurt you? Can you bless someone who has cursed you? Can you be good to those who have done you harm? Can you forgive a murderer? Jesus himself lived this when on the cross he asked his Father to forgive those who were crucifying him. It is instructive that the Beatitudes ends with these sayings; “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.”
All the saints have understood that holiness of life is not simply an intellectual exercise, it is a way of life, it is a way of interacting with the world and of facing the challenges which the world and others place before us. While those infected with the spirit of the world see things through eyes of individualism and comfort, the way of the saints is one in which the important thing is the well-being of others; it is what St. Paul calls life in the Spirit, and is characterized by “charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, long-suffering, endurance, mildness, kindness, generosity, faith, and chastity.” It is only when we these qualities, all mirrored in the beatitudes, are manifest in our lives that we may understand ourselves as walking in true discipleship; only then have we passed the litmus test.
Prayer
All powerful and ever-loving God, we often want to be your disciples but like Frank Sinatra’s song, we want to do it in our way. Help us to understand that where discipleship is concerned there is only one way and that is the way you have taught us in the beatitudes. Give us the grace to make the beatitudes our own; Give us the grace to live them. We ask this through the intercession of Mary our mother and Jesus your Son. Amen
