Breaking the Word

All Saints Day, Wednesday – 01^st November 2023 – Rev 7,2-4.9-14; 1 Jn 3,1-3; Mt 5,1-12

Living the Beatitudes

Holiness is not something we earn, it is God’s gift. But we have a part in the process of holiness. We live out the holiness which God has given to us. Our actions should profess the holiness which God has bestowed on us.

The Eight Beatitudes are a type of revelation that allows us a glimpse into the characters of Christ and those whom he calls disciples. Poor in spirit, they desire only what glorifies the Father. Mournful over true injustice, they do not shrink from solidarity in the suffering of others, even suffering for others’ sins. In them meekness reigns, not as in those who resign themselves to the evils of the world, but as in those who treat others with gentleness and patience in long suffering. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness, they do not seek violence but rather magnanimity in the light to establish truth. They offer mercy to others because they themselves have fully received it as a gift from God.  Pure of heart, they live a simplicity of intention for the things of God, not tainted by selfishness. Persecuted and insulted, they rejoice that they can suffer what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

30^th Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 31^st October 2023 – Romans 8,18-25; Lk 13,18-21

Hope for Sufferers

In the first reading, Paul speaks about the future realization of God’s design not only for Christians but for the whole of the created world.  He begins by saying that no matter how much we may suffer in this life, it is nothing compared to the future glory which will be made known to us. It is a moment of final judgement when those in Christ will be glorified and it will become impossible to deny that we are God’s children. God’s righteousness, and our faith in Him, will be vindicated to the world. Like man, the creation is also suffering now and it will be glorified finally. It’s a future time when God will make all things right and that all nature is eagerly looking forward to that day. Paul’s thinking is that the material world, originally created for Man, shares his destiny. After the sin in the Garden, the material world was also cursed (Gen 3,17). Now, the material world is deformed, impotent and decadent. However, like man’s body, it is destined one day to be redeemed, restored and glorified. It will share the same glorious freedom of the children of God. Paul says that all suffering will come to an end for man and creation. They will be made right on that glorious day (Rev 21,1-4).