First Reading - 2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12
The first reading gives us a glimpse of the hardship of life of the Christian community in Corinths. Paul acknowledges the hard time of the people to profess their faith and furthermore encourages the community to bounce back from the suffering and difficulties. He gives a beautiful meaning to the suffering that it acts like an instrument for us so that we can be able to understand those who suffer and step up to console them. He cites the example of Jesus who suffered for us and how he is able to feel our suffering and consoles us in our difficulties. Paul invites the Christian community to take the suffering positively as an instrument for us to know others who suffer.
The gospel passage suggests a mode of life evey Christian. The Beatitudes are God’s commandments expressed in positive terms, unlike the Commandments prescribed by Moses. The Beatitudes go far beyond than what is required by the Ten Commandments, and they are a true and reliable recipe for every day life: When Jesus hails 'Poverty of Spirit', this poverty implies our realization for need of God. When Jesus hails those who are mourning, it doesn't mean that mourning for without cause but it implies readiness to embrace the inevitable sufferings of life and alleviating the sorrows of others. When Jesus hails those who are meek that doesn't mean he praises servitude but it implies one's docility to do God’s will and having patient gentleness with others, even in the face of sufferings, disappointments, and insults. When Jesus praises those who hunger for justice, it doesn't mean he endorses revolution but our longing to see everyone enjoy the peace, happiness, justice, and healing promised by Christ. We obtain mercy by extending it to others. When Jesus hails those who are pure in heart, he endorses our right intention or sincerity that puts God first and judges everything else in relationship to God. When Jesus extols the peacemakers, it implies promotion of real peace when enemies become trustworthy friends. When Jesus hails those who suffer for his sake or for doing what is right, it means our willing to accept a cross which leads to salvation or eternal bliss.
Dear friends, sufferings, pains, difficulties etc. are the dark side of our lives which we want to avoid or overcome as quickly as possible. The readings of today infact encourage us to change our perspective towards our dark or difficult moments of our lives. St. Paul deals with the problem of suffering which we are exhorted to look at as an instrument to learn and help others who face the same difficulties. Paul reminds us that our experience of challenges or difficulties are instruments that make us more understanding towards those who suffer.
In the gospel, once again the idea of moving from negativity to positivity is highlighted and which should become our efforts of everyday. The blessedness pronounced by Jesus for many of the things which are likely to be negative or sad part of our experiences (poverty, mourning, hunger, persecution etc.), but Jesus doesn't stop there but heads on to gives assurance for every such negative experience. However, the assurance given by Jesus also invites to change the perspective to look at such negative experience from positive worldview.
Dear friends, the beatitude-life is supposed to be our daily mode of life which ensures our life as Christians. Let's strive to make the life of beatitudes our own everyday and be filled with promises Jesus makes for us.
.jpeg)
0 Comments