Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven"

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12a

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.

Do we not all seek to happy? It is a natural desire placed in all humans. We all want to be happy. Today’s Gospel reading is the beginning of Jesus’ sermon on the mount. He is talking to the masses telling them who will ultimately be the happiest in heaven. If we have to sit down and define what it takes to be happy, I would venture to say that the list that Jesus described in his sermon would not be at the top of our list. Poor, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst would not be words used to describe the good life. But yet Christ tells us that these people will ultimately experience the greatest joy in heaven because they have humbled themselves on earth. Christ is telling us that these people are absent greed and envy and fill their lives with simple things that truly express God’s joy in their lives. Their lives are open to God’s glory. Jesus calls for us all to be merciful, pure in heart and to be a peacemaker. We are called to forgive those who have trespassed against us. We are called to forgive those who want to hurt us. We must strive to make peace with our fellow man. Many of us will be persecuted for our beliefs and our actions. Our friends and peers will make fun of us for the decisions we make. But Jesus tells that kingdom of heaven is for those who make the ultimate sacrifice to live truly by the Word of God. The beatitudes reassure us that those who sacrifice the most on earth will ultimately be that happiest in heaven. Do you hunger and thirst for the spirit of God? Blessed are you who do.

A Simple Prayer

Lord God, Teach me to be humble.

Lead me down the path of righteousness.

Lead me to everlasting peace and happiness.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon