The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus
Catholic Schools Week
In other years: Blessed Archangela Giriani (1460-1495); Blessed Villana de'Botti OP (1332-1361)
Readings of the Day
Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 7:24-30 Humility
Mass: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Resp Ps 146; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12a
The Lord raises up those who are bowed down.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,
PRAY FOR US.
JESUS, MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART,
HAVE MERCY ON US.
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth.
(Zephaniah 2:3)
Welcome to what could be called, "Beatitude Sunday." The Beatitudes, as our Catechism teaches us, are at the heart of Jesus' preaching ... the Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray His charity. Furthermore, they express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of His Passion and Resurrection; the Beatitudes illuminate the actions and attitudes of our lives as Christians (CCC 1716, 1717). We, as Christians and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, are about Beatitude, and today is a good day to reflect on just what actions and attitudes will bring us authentic happiness or blessedness. And since, as Saint Augustine teaches, we all want to live happily, as it is unlikely that among the whole human race there is not who does not want to live happily,* united in faith and prayer, then, let us be people of the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Beatitudes confront us with decisive choices concerning earthly goods; they purify our hearts in order to teach us to love God above all things.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1728)
What choices will you make this week so that you make more room for God in your life so as to better love Him with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, for "God alone satisfies."** Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
How is it, then, that I seek you, Lord? Since in seeking you, my God, I seek a happy life, let me seek you so that my soul may live, for my body draws life from my soul and my soul draws life from you.
(Saint Augustine, Confessions, Chapter XX, 29)
BLESSED ARCHANGELA GIRIANI,
BLESSED VILLAIN DE'BOTTI,
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,
POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,
PRAY FOR US.
*See Augustine's De moribus ecclesiae Of the Morals of the Catholic Church, in Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), 1718
** See Saint Thomas Aquinas Expositio in symbolum apostolicum Explanation of the Apostles' Creed, in CCC 1718.
Today's photo: Something like this comes and goes quickly. Seen yesterday at midday, if this does not make one aware of her littleness, there may not be much else that can. The Lord shall reign forever.
© Gertrude Feick 2023
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