January 30, 2010
First Reading:
Zephaniah 2:3;3:12-13
3 Seek the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, you that have wrought his judgment:
seek the just, seek the meek: if by any means you may be hid in the day of the Lord's indignation.
12 And I will leave in the midst of thee a poor and needy people: and they shall hope in the name of the Lord.
13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed, and shall lie down, and there shall be none to make them afraid.
Second Reading:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble:
27 But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise; and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong.
28 And the base things of the world, and the things that are contemptible, hath God chosen, and things that are not, that he might bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his sight.
30But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and justice, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, as it is written: He that glorieth, may glory in the Lord.
Gospel:
Matthew 5:1-12a
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
2 And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
5 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.
10 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:
12a Be glad and rejoice,
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Study Page
Overview of the Gospel:
* This week’s Gospel reading looks to the beginning of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount at a series of sayings known as “the Beatitudes.” As we learned a few weeks ago, Matthew’s gospel brings out many of the parallels between the life of Moses and that of Jesus. Here we see that, just as Moses ascended Mt Sinai to deliver the Jewish Law to Israel (Exodus 19), Jesus delivers the laws of his Kingdom from the Mount of the Beatitudes.
* Although the word “blessed” is sometimes translated as “happy,” here it actually denotes righteousness before God: forgiveness (Psalm 32:1-2), faith (Psalm 2:12; John 20:29), and obedience to God (Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Psalm 1:1; 119:1).
* The Beatitudes describe the model of love for the Kingdom of God; a kingdom that is already in our midst (Luke 11:20), but not yet completed (Luke 11:2). This model is completely contrary to the wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 1:17-31).
* If we read the Beatitudes carefully, we see that each one builds upon the other with the first (“Blessed are the poor in spirit”) being the foundation of all.
Questions:
* In the first part of the 1st Reading, who—or what sort of people—is the prophet addressing? What is he calling them to do? Who is the Lord addressing in the second part, and how does he describe them? Do I meet this description right now? How can I more aspire to conform to this calling?
* How well do you identify with those whose calling is described by St. Paul in the 2nd Reading? How does it make you feel: Insulted? Humble? Overqualified? Underquailified? How does this calling work itself out in practical Christian piety toward God and charity toward our brothers and sisters in the Lord?
* In the Gospel Reading, how do the eight qualities that describe the “blessed” relate to the promise that follow them? How do they relate to one another? How would you describe the opposite of each quality? Who would you call “blessed” in today’s world?
* Is Jesus describing who his followers are? Or prescribing what they must do? Why do you think so? How is Jesus’ kingdom already, but not yet?
* What does it mean to be “poor in spirit? Name a person (famous or not) who exemplifies “poverty of spirit” and humility.
* Of these eight qualities, which two do you desire most in your life? Why? Which of these are you tempted to avoid?