Monday 8th June 2020. Read 1st Kings 17:1-6, Psalm 121 and
Matthew 5:1-12.
“Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the
prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)
To be a person of faith is to be somehow radical; it swimming against the tide, choosing the narrow path when everyone
else is on the broad lane. Elijah was such a radical. He stood for God and God
did not fail him. It is said that ravens are the stingiest birds on earth, yet
God sent ravens to feed Elijah. There is happiness on the other side, there is
a blessing for being different; for choosing God.
Jesus explains this blessing in today’s
Gospel passage. When you are poor in spirit or meek or peace-loving, people may
take you for a fool and try to ride on you but Jesus says heaven is yours. You
will inherit the earth, you will be called a son of God.
When you forgive easily and show
mercy always, people will not stop hurting you but Jesus says your own sins
will be pardoned. Guess what, even if you refuse to forgive and continue
holding grudges, people will still continue to hurt you but your life will be a
lot more miserable.
When you seek first God’s Kingdom and
prioritize righteousness, you may not become rich and famous in the eyes of the
world but Jesus says you will find true inner satisfaction and peace. When you
mourn over the sinfulness and evil pervading our world and refuse to be
indifferent, Jesus says you will find true comfort.
When your heart is pure; when you do
not indulge in immorality, pornography, sins against the flesh and all forms of
indecency, even your closest friends will consider you to be very weird. They would
call you a loser for missing out on the pleasures of life but as Jesus tells
us, you will see God. Sure, there is no pleasure greater than hosting God
within the confines of your pure heart. You will be like Mary; you will carry
God within your bosom.
If you are more than just a mere
churchgoer and Christianity is not just a garment you wear, people will hate
you. Sure. If you are a truthful person, if you do not consent to evil, many will
try to end you. Jesus says, even at that, rejoice and be glad. Listen, you don’t
have to be like everyone else. There is happiness in serving God.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give me the courage to follow the beatitudes. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 10th Week in
Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1st Kings 17:1-6, Psalm 121 and
Matthew 5:1-12).
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