16/02/2025

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Beatitudes form the basis of the values that the church seeks to proclaim. They outline key characteristics of a righteous life, highlighting that true happiness comes from qualities like being poor in spirit, mourning for sin, being meek, hungering for righteousness, being merciful, pure in heart, acting as peacemakers, and enduring persecution for doing good,

Luke has just four beatitudes. He concentrates on the  poor,  hungry, tearful and  hated because they are followers of Jesus.

Matthew’s well known “Eight beatitudes” are in fact nine.

Life on earth may not be a cake walk but we can rejoice because great will be our reward in heaven is we do our best to become the best version of ourselves – probably better than we imagine.

The Beatitudes  are not exclusive. It is good to learn from our mistakes and see the past as a rehearsal for the present. It is good to appreciate the beliefs of others, to realise that our actions have consequences and thus to try to live Catholic Social Teaching with its seven principles: respect for the human person, promotion of the family, the individual's right to own property, the common good, subsidiarity, the dignity of work and workers, and pursuit of peace and care for the poor. And as Pope Francis encourages us, to take care of the planet.

The Greek word Makarios which appeared in the Greek translation of Matthew’s Gospel, can be translated as  "happy, fortunate, blessed"; similar to the Latin beatus and felix. 

Ancient Greeks applied the epithet Makarios to the gods. 

Living like Christ – striving to live like Christ -  brings with it joy and even delight no matter what life throws at us.

Reading the Gospels can teach us ever deeper wisdom. I hope listening to my homilies helps you as writing them helps me!

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