Called to be Holy

 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: January 29, 2023

Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalm 146:6-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus preaches the "Sermon on the Mount"

We are living in an ever-changing world.  In recent years, we have been noticing this change happening in a very fast and rapid space. This is both positive and negative. With the arrival of Covid -19, a lot of things have changed in our lifestyle and well-being. Even though constant change has been a permanent feature of our life in this world, yet it is challenging to adapt to such sudden changes. In the midst of such dramatic changes, there are certain things like values, and ideals that are permanent and eternal. They have a future with a sense of universal applications. On the Fourth Sunday of the Ordinary Time, the readings focus on certain such values which we must imbibe and integrate in our lives particularly, humility, mercy, kindness, righteousness, blessedness, peace and purity of heart. 

1. Called to be blessed at all times

The Gospel writer St Matthew (5:1-12a,) gives us Jesus' well-known "Sermon on the Mount." This rich sermon of Jesus speaks about the importance of humility, meekness, peacemaking, righteousness, mourning, mercy, purity, and perseverance in the face of persecution as the path towards spiritual fulfillment. These teachings, known as the "Beatitudes," are considered by many to be a cornerstone of Christian spiritual reflection and practice. "Blessed" means spiritually fortunate and prosperous, blissful, delighted, and content.  In verse 3, Jesus teaches that the spiritually poor, or those who recognize their spiritual poverty and recognize their own limitations, rely completely on God.  In verse 4, those who mourn, or who grieve over their sins and the sins of the world, will be comforted by God.

Verse 5 teaches that the meek, or those who are humble and gentle, will inherit the earth. Verse 6 states that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, or a right relationship with God, will be filled. Verse 7 teaches that the merciful will receive mercy from God, and verse 8 states that the pure in heart, or those who are free from sin and have a pure devotion to God, will see God. Verse 9 teaches that the peacemakers, or those who work to reconcile others to God and to one another, will be called children of God. "Peace" means harmony, tranquility, completeness, wholeness, and welfare, with all things in their right place.  In short, shalom is a peace that comes from God. And finally, verse 10 states that those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, or for living according to God's will, are blessed. Because God provides comfort in difficult times. There are always blessings in store for us when we live righteous life and seek a closer relationship with God.

2. God's ways are different

St Paul writing to his beloved community in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) emphasizes the importance of humility and the power of God. He reminds them that they were not wise or powerful according to the standards of the world, but that God had chosen them to be part of His plan. Fascinatingly, God chooses the weak and the humble to accomplish His Will. The world may value wealth, power, honour, and prestige, but God looks at the heart and chooses those who are willing to put their trust in Him. Often, the ways of God may not always make sense to us but they are far more powerful and wise than anything we can comprehend, and that God can use our weaknesses and limitations to achieve His purposes.

St Paul contrasts the foolishness of God with the wisdom of the world. For Paul, the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved, it is the power of God. This passage reminds us that the ways of God may not always make sense to us, but they are far more powerful and wise than anything we can comprehend. In fact, God uses our weaknesses and limitations to achieve His purposes. St Paul says God chose the "foolish things of the world" to shame the wise, and the "weak things of the world" to shame the strong. This reminds us that God can use even our most insignificant talents, resources, and abilities for His glory if we are willing to offer them to Him.

3. In our faith journey, we are not solitary

As we journey through life, we may find ourselves asking questions like "Who am I?" "What is my purpose?" "What is the meaning of life?" The revelation of Jesus as the Son of God is not just an event of the past, but an ongoing process in our lives. As we come to know Jesus more deeply, we come to know ourselves more deeply. We discover our true identity as children of God, created in His image and likeness, and we understand our purpose, which is to love and serve Him. Moreover, we must know that in our journey of faith, we are not alone.  We are always guided by the Holy Spirit to understand the truth about Jesus and His teachings. It is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we come to a deeper understanding of who we are and what we are called to do.

Therefore, it is essential that we must be open to the revelation of Jesus in our everyday lives. We should look for signs of Jesus in the world around us and in the people we encounter. When we do this, we begin to see the world in a new way, and we come to realize that Jesus is truly present everywhere. Because Jesus is the revelation of God as the Son of God, and to understand that this revelation is an ongoing process in our lives. Additionally, we should be open to seeing Jesus in everyday life and be grateful for the revelation that continues to come to us. Finally, if we strive to embody the qualities outlined in the beatitudes in our own lives, and rely on God's grace and strength, then certainly, God will be with us always. All the more, our total reliance on God is the doorway into heaven. 

Questions for Reflection:

1. How can I strive to embody the love and justice of God in my daily actions and decisions?
2. How can I deepen my relationship with God and make Him the center of my life?
3. How am I being called to serve and be a blessing to others in my family or community?
4. How can I be more open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in my life?
5. How can I become more aware of the presence of God in my daily life and activities?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I lift my soul to you in praise. I trust in your power and love alone, not in earthly leaders who will ultimately fail. You are my help and hope, Creator of all that is good.

I pray for your blessings on the oppressed, the hungry, the prisoner, the blind, and the downtrodden. May your love and justice shine in my actions and guide me always. I make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

January 26, 2023