Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

1 Seeing the crowds, he went onto the mountain. And when he was seated his disciples came to him.

2 Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:

3 How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth as inheritance.

5 Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.

7 Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 ‘Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

Reflection:

Today’s Gospel talks about how the Kingdom of God will bless the children of God that are using their life here on earth for the sole purpose of giving their lives in service to God. This reminds us that we don’t need to have all the earthly things here on earth to be happy for God is ion those who suffer the most. In the Gospel, it talks about how blessed are those who are poor and needy for they will have the kingdom of God in their next life. The truth is that we need to be living a good life here on earth to be given a chance to enter heaven. We need to cultivate our souls more by helping the sick, the needy, the abandoned because God is present in each and every one of us, and give your service to your fellowmen, it’s an act of loving God through your neighbor.

The Gospel also clearly tells us that if we live a life full of solitude her on earth, up in heaven there is only happiness. If we live our lives in poverty here on earth, then the richness of heaven will be ours. If we give mercy to one another, then the Kingdom of Heaven will show mercy upon us. If we are persecuted here on earth because we live the life of Christ and others are trying to pull us down, then in heaven there is no more death, instead of eternal life. So, we all must live humbly and make sure that we only do good deeds and prepare our souls because upon death, we will be sentenced based on the weight of what we did here on earth.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, living a holy life as what our saints did when they were still alive is not that easy. We need to make sacrifices and we need to face many obstacles upon our way to holiness. The only reason we have to survive is that God is the center of everything we do. Do not think of your own happiness, instead give a little glimpse of light to the people who most need our helping hands. – Clea | Helpline PH