Meditations on the Sunday Gospel for the Year of the Eucharist
Beginning Sunday January 30th, 2005
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." Matthew 5:1-12a
public ministry. After undergoing temptation in the desert He set out and began preaching and calling His
disciples. Finally, at the end of chapter four, we find Him “healing every disease and every infirmity
among the people” (Mt. 4:23).
It is understandable how by this time He had gained a sizeable following. For the most part, many of
the listeners were common “salt of the earth” type people, laborers, fishermen, etc. The address to those
listening was simple and at the same time profound. The Beatitudes or “blessings” give hope of the
coming Kingdom and at the same time offer solace to those who are on the journey.
The Beatitudes mark the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount which is in a sense a summary and
discourse on the new law of the Kingdom of God. This discourse, or Sermon on the Mount, continues for
two full chapters of Matthew’s Gospel, chapters five through seven.
Apostles and You
You are an outcast of society. You had heard of Jesus but
had not had the opportunity to hear Him speak until now.
From a distance you can see the multitudes streaming
toward the hillside where He is waiting. You’re determined
to move closer but fear holds you at a distance. You decide
to gather as many articles of clothing as you can find to
cover yourself completely and then you move slowly among
the crowd.
His voice carried above the crowd. Your heart begins
to burn with love as He speaks the blessings that seem to
be for you alone. You are poor, hungry, sick, and people
reviled you but His words wiped all your pain and bitterness
away. He has helped you to see all your blessings even in
the midst of your suffering.
When He finished speaking many people return home
while others try to speak with Him. You stay in your spot
with you head down so as not to be noticed. A short time
later two sandals appeared on the ground before you and
you know in your heart it is Jesus! You fall on your face
saying, “Lord, if you will it, you can make me clean”. To
your request He simply replies, “I do will it, be made clean”.
Lord, You have given me so much. In fact You have given me everything. I know that
You have given me all that I have so that I may use it to glorify You and serve my fellow man
but quite frankly I don’t always do that. Lord, reveal to me the ways in which I can use my
possessions and position to serve You and lead others to You. [ pause and listen for ten
minutes]
Gospel poverty, meekness, desires for righteousness, mercy and more are what You
desire. Lord, I want to be all that You are asking me to be but at times I find it very difficult. I
suppose I should simply take them one at a time. Lord, reveal to me the ways I can live these
Beatitudes in my state of life. [ examine each Beatitude and ask God to reveal how He wants
You to live it]
Lord, I struggle with [insert the Beatitude you struggle with] the most because………
Help me work on this during this week. Help me to put forth an heroic effort to especially live
this Beatitude around my co-workers, family, friends, etc. [ talk with God about each
Beatitude and your struggles with it]
EUCHARIST
Him often. Do you want Him to give you few graces? Visit
Him rarely. Do you want the devil to attack you? Visit
Jesus rarely in the Blessed Sacrament. Do you want him
to flee from you? Visit Jesus often. Do you want to
conquer the devil? Take refuge often at the feet of Jesus.
Do you want to be conquered by the devil? Forget about
visiting Jesus. My dear ones, the visit to the Blessed
Sacrament is an extremely necessary way to conquer the
devil. Therefore, go often to visit Jesus and the devil will
not come out victorious against you."
- St. John Bosco
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His Saints.
May the heart of Jesus, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful
affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.
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