The Baptism of the Lord

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9th    Lk. 3: 15-16, 21-22   “After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”

Our new life in Christ through water and the spirit begins with our Baptism!!! Saint Paul to the Ephesians 4:1-6:

“I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

Let us begin by thanking God for all those who brought us to the day of our Baptism, and all those who brought us back to living our Baptismal Promises if we strayed!

CALLING TO MIND THE GRACES OF OUR BAPTISM by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The Christmas season ends with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Jordan River in his 30th year, given by Saint John the Baptist. The clouds were rent asunder, the dove alighted upon Jesus and the voice of the heavenly Father could be heard clearly: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Mt. 3:13-17)

The Baptism of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ summons all of us who have received the great gift and grace of the Sacrament of Baptism to renew our own baptismal promises. Listen and meditate on the profound but simple words taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Sacrament of Baptism:

“Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door that gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water and the word.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1213)

Spiritually and supernaturally, it all started at the moment of our baptism when the minister poured water on our forehead and pronounced the words: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

The graces were a deluge, to say the least. Listen to all that happened on the day and moment of our Baptism! Transformed into a son or daughter of God, brother or sister to Jesus Christ, intimate friend of the Holy Spirit, temple and icon of the Blessed Trinity—all of these personal graces we received in relationship to the Blessed Trinity when we were baptized.

However, more graces and gifts descended upon us in an invisible but very real way. The following are the many virtues that our soul was imbued with in the moment of Baptism, beginning with the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. The moral or cardinal virtues also—justice, temperance, prudence, and fortitude. And at the same time, we received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord.

If that were not enough, in the moment of our Baptism, we became members of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, exorcised of the presence of the malignant enemy. Yes, the Rite of Baptism includes a minor exorcism! With Baptism, we also received the right and privilege to the many heavenly inspirations that come from the Holy Spirit. And if we continue to live out our baptismal promises, one day eternal life will be ours! How generous is our Good God!

Given that it all starts spiritually with the Sacrament of Baptism, we are called to live out our Baptism by renouncing the devil and his seductions, renouncing the world and its allurements, and finally, renouncing the base promptings of our lower nature that we call the flesh. In a word, from Baptism we are all called to pursue a life of holiness, calling to mind the words of Jesus who said: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt 5:48)

What then might be some concrete ways that we can call to mind our Baptism, as well as the Baptism of our family members, and live out with greater energy and intention the responsibilities that flow from the great Sacrament of Baptism? We will offer five means for our meditation, reflection, and practical application in our daily walk with the Lord Jesus, who was baptized in the Jordan leaving an example for us!

1. Baptism of Jesus.  Every year we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, and the priest, in the context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, blesses the people with holy water. At this time, we should renew our own baptismal promises with faith and fervor, and with a commitment to renounce sin and follow Jesus with a determined determination. This is especially important for those who were baptized as babies or children with little understanding of the great privileges and responsibilities of this Sacrament of Initiation. We should strive anew to leave the dead leaven of sin behind and live in the holiness of the light of Christ, who indeed is the Light of the world.

2. Parents and the Baptism of their Children.  It could be a very powerful teaching and catechetical moment—especially for the younger ones—for parents to celebrate the baptismal date of each child in the same way they celebrate their natural birthday. Indeed, Baptism is our second birth. Why not buy a cake and light the candles— according to the number of years, and celebrate the spiritual birth of each child. However, this should all be done in the context of faith and catechesis. Parents can use this moment to explain what Baptism is, what it does to our soul, and the responsibilities that flow from the Sacrament of Baptism!

3. The Sign of the Cross.  Making the sign of the cross with both faith and reverence can be an efficacious means by which awareness of our own Sacrament of Baptism can be enhanced. The basic charism of the great Carmelite mystic, Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, was a keen and acute awareness of the most Blessed Trinity living in her soul through grace. Therefore, every time we make the sign of the cross and say: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” we can call to mind our dignity from Baptism, the indwelling of the Blessed Trinity, and that we are a son or daughter of God the Father, a brother or sister to Jesus Christ, and a close and intimate friend of the Holy Spirit. Indeed how many sins would we avoid committing with our bodies—temples of the Blessed Trinity—if only we were aware of our dignity and destiny! Not only are we living icons of the Trinity starting at Baptism, but our eternal destiny is to live in the bosom of the Blessed Trinity for all eternity!

4. Holy Water.  Every Catholic–Christian family should have holy water in their homes. Better yet would be to have holy water in a little holy water font in all the bedrooms. Thereby, upon coming or leaving from their rooms, each member of the family could bless themself with holy water for protection against the evil spirits, and for the grace to live according to the dignity that flows from our Baptism. Holy water is a “holy” reminder of God in our lives!

5. Parents and Godparents: Recall and Live Out Your Responsibilities.  Godparents of a baptized child or adult represent a more extensive family—reminding us that we belong to the Church, which is the Family of God. Among the many roles of Godparents, let us highlight two primary roles: 1) Prayer—Godparents should pray for their Godchildren, hopefully every day at least a Hail Mary, better yet a Rosary; 2) Give good example! Godparents are called to live out the symbolism of the lighted candle—that is to say, they are called to radiate the Light of Good Example in all they say and do. Our good example has a powerful influence on others! Think of the example of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, as well as Pope Saint John Paul II—what burning torches they were, and still are, in a world immersed in the darkness of sin!

That being said, parents have a more extensive and serious role and responsibility than even the Godparents. True, parents must pray and give good example to their children, but they must go way beyond these two roles. Parents are also called to educate their children and in all aspects: their character, their human formation, and the formation of their mind, heart, will and soul. In a word, parents should form their children to be excellent citizens of this world and future citizens of the kingdom of heaven!

In conclusion let us call to mind our great dignity and our great destiny; and it all starts at the moment we received the Sacrament of Baptism. Dignity? We are temples of the most Blessed Trinity once baptized. Destiny? Our end goal in life is to be united with the Blessed Trinity forever in heaven. May Our Lady, who is the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit, attain for us the grace to live out to the fullest extent the Sacrament of Baptism in our lives, and help our children to do so as well!

Saturday after Epiphany

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8th    Jn. 3: 22-30   “He must increase; I must decrease.”

John the Baptist was the herald of the Messiah: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’” (Jn 1: 29-30)

Saturday is the day set aside by the Church to honor Mary, the first to proclaim the greatness of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, and her lowliness:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Lk 1:47-49)

May we always honor and love Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our own dear Mother! Without Mary’s YES we would not have a Messiah and the gates of heaven would remain closed to us forever!

Today Fr. Ed points out the importance and presence of Mary in the Church’s Liturgical Year. May we miss no opportunity to honor and rejoice in Mary’s Presence in our lives!

MARY’S PRESENCE IN THE LITURGICAL YEAR by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

As a seminarian studying in Rome, the Postulants formed a group that strongly appealed to my interests—a group to get to know and love Mary, the Mother of God. It was the decision of the group-leader that for us to really love Mary better, we had to get to know her better.

It was our decision to read a short but excellent ecclesial writing by Pope Saint Paul VI on Mary with the title Marialus Cultus—meaning: the Cult of the Virgin Mary. Therefore, we all planned to read the document and then come together to share our ideas on this short but excellent writing on the Blessed Virgin Mary. It took us several sessions to end our sharing and discussion on the document. However, we all derived many positive fruits. (Marialis Cultus is an Apostolic Exhortation written and published by Pope Saint Paul VI on February 2nd, 1974.)

Given that I was just in the initial stages of my formation to being ordained a priest, the document proved to be a solid ecclesial teaching. However, of equal importance, given the fact that I was preparing to become a Religious priest of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, this document proved to be of enormous importance in helping me understand and live my charism which is to love Mary, live out a Marian consecration, and promote Marian devotion as catechist, preacher and teacher.

The Second Vatican Council placed Mary in a special place in the overall ecclesial context proclaiming Mary to be THE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH. Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, present at the Council, remarked that when Mary was proclaimed by the Council Fathers as THE MOTHER OF THE CHURCH, there was an explosion! Most of the Council Fathers, who were Bishops, stood up and gave an explosive round of applause for Mary under the title MOTHER OF THE CHURCH. Not only was the applause resounding but almost seemed to be never ending—such was the love of Mary as Mother of the Church.

In this brief reflection, we would like to highlight one of the key themes of the document Marialus Cultus of Pope Saint Paul VI. The theme to be explained would be discovering Mary’s place in the Church Liturgical Year, the Masses celebrated in her honor. And, of great importance, is that when a Mass is celebrated to honor Mary, the key point is that Mary is present always to glorify and to magnify the Lord. Mary never seeks her honor and glory but to glorify Jesus present in the Church which is His Mystical Body. Our Lady proclaimed so eloquently in her Canticle of praise—the Magnificat—these words: “My soul does magnify the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior….” (Lk 1:46-47)

This Marian document of Pope Saint Paul VI asserts that a true Marian devotion should include at least three indispensable elements: Christocentric, Biblical, and Ecclesial. By these three words are meant that Mary should always bring us to Christ, who is the very center of our faith. Also, our knowledge of Mary should have Biblical roots—both Old and New Testament sources. Finally, an integral Mariology should be Ecclesial; Mary has a key role in the Church. Indeed, if Jesus is the Head of the Mystical Body of the Church and she is the Mother of the Head, than it necessarily follows that Mary is our Mother too because we are all parts of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Catholic Church.

Therefore, we would like to highlight the presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Mystical Body of Christ, most especially in the context of the Church Cycle, the Church Year. Once again: Mary always points us to her Son Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Mary’s last recorded words in Scripture, in the context of the Wedding Feast of Cana, were: “Do whatever He tells you.” (Jn 2:5) In fact the best words of advice in the world!

MARY’S PRESENCE IN THE CHURCH LITURGICAL YEAR…

1. ADVENT.  Mary is patiently waiting for the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is pregnant with Child and joyfully and patiently waiting as she carries the Baby Jesus within her most pure womb.

2. DECEMBER 8^th—THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.  In the very heart of the Season of Advent, as Christmas quickly approaches, the Church celebrates one of the chief Marian Feasts, which is actually a Solemnity—the Immaculate Conception. With immense joy, with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception the Church professes that Mary was conceived without the slightest stain of sin, conceived without Original Sin. Furthermore, the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the USA!

3. DECEMBER 12^th—OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE.  Not only is she the Patroness of Mexico, but according to Pope Saint John Paul II she is the Patroness of the Americas.

4. DECEMBER 25^th—CHRISTMAS.  Jesus is born for our salvation. Of course He was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Indeed it was Mary who gave Jesus His true human nature.

5. JANUARY 1^st—At the very threshold and start of the New Year, the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, on January 1^st celebrates Mary, the Mother of God. And of all the titles given to Mary that of being “The Mother of God” is by far the greatest.

6. HOLY FAMILY.  The Sunday after Christmas! Mary is presented in her essential role model as the perfect Mother and the perfect spouse, and as a cohesive force who unites the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph.

7. EPIPHANY.  The Magi, the wise Kings, travel a long and difficult journey in pursuit of the New Born King. Finally, by faithfully following the star, they find Jesus, the New Born King in the arms of Mary. A catchy bumper sticker expressed it in these effervescent words: WISE MEN STILL FIND JESUS IN THE ARMS OF MARY!

8. FEBRUARY 2^nd—PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE.  Forty days after the birth of Jesus, the Church celebrates what is sometimes called Candlemas, formally titled as THE PRESENTATION OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. The Prophet Simeon proclaimed Jesus as LUMEN GENTIUM—The Light to all the Peoples. For that reason this feast day is at times called Candlemas because Jesus is the Light to all the nations.

9. FEBRUARY 11^TH—OUR LADY OF LOURDES.  Our Lady appeared 18 times to Saint Bernadette and declared that she is “The Immaculate Conception.” Pope Saint John Paul II declared this day as the World Day of The Sick where we pray for all the sick of the world.

10. MARCH 19^TH—SAINT JOSEPH: The Husband of Mary. Technically, this is not a Marian Solemnity but implicitly it is because good Saint Joseph, the Husband of Mary, and Mary have an intimate bond of love as spouses and as parents of the Child Jesus.

11. MARCH 25^TH—THE ANNUNCIATION/INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD. One of the principal Marian Solemnities is that of the Annunciation or the Incarnation of the Son of God in the womb of Mary. Chronologically, by counting nine months from this date, what do we have? Christmas—the birth of Jesus. The Annunciation recalls the Virginal Conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary.

12. EASTER—APRIL.  Not always but usually Easter falls in the Month of April. In this we celebrate the key event of Christianity—the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead after three days in the tomb. According to Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Catholic Tradition, Jesus first appeared to His Mother Mary.

13. MAY—THE MONTH OF MARY.  Catholic piety and tradition for many years has set aside the month of May as dedicated to Mary. Indeed, MAY IS FOR MARY!

14. MAY 13^TH—OUR LADY OF FATIMA.  This day the Church recalls the first of the six Apparitions that Our Lady of Fatima made to the three shepherd children Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Her title: Our Lady of the Rosary.

15. MAY 31^ST—THE VISITATION OF MARY TO ELIZABETH.  The last day of May, the Church reminds us to honor Mary recalling her visit to her cousin Elizabeth, both women pregnant with child. This of course is the second Joyful Mystery.

16. SATURDAY AFTER THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS—THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.  It is impossible to separate these two Hearts. The Saturday after the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus follows the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was formed within the Immaculate Heart of Mary—our two most safe havens of repose!

17. JULY 16^TH—OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL.  On this day we call to mind Our Lady’s request to Saint Simon Stock, Superior General of the Carmelites in the 13^th Century, that the Brown Scapular be worn as a sign of our consecration to her. May we all wear with great pride the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a sign that we belong to Mary, we are in the School of Mary, we are in the Family of Mary, and we are in the Heart of Mary!

18. AUGUST 15^TH—THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY INTO HEAVEN.  In the middle of summer and the middle of August, the Church reminds us to lift up our gaze to Mary who is taken up into Heaven in both body and soul. This is the Assumption of Mary, the last Marian Dogma to be proclaimed by Pope Pius XII November 1, 1950. 

19. AUGUST 22^ND—THE QUEENSHIP OF MARY.  A week after celebrating the triumphal entry of Mary into Heaven in body and soul, the Church celebrates Mary being crowned in Heaven as Queen of Heaven and earth, Queen of the angels and the saints, and hopefully the Queen of our hearts!

20. SEPTEMBER 8^TH—Happy Birthday Mary! That is right. There is a day on which we celebrate the Birthday of Jesus, but we also celebrate the Birthday of Mary. This day falls nine months after her Immaculate Conception: December 8^th to September 8^th! Happy Birthday, Mary!

21. SEPTEMBER 12^TH—THE HOLY NAME OF MARY.  Less known, but of great importance to the Oblates to the Virgin Mary, being their Titular Feast Day, is THE HOLY NAME OF MARY. The two most Holy Names are JESUS AND MARY!

22. SEPTEMBER 15^TH—OUR LADY OF SORROWS.  September 14^th is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—a mini meditation of Good Friday. Necessarily what follows on the 15^th is Our Lady of Sorrows—Stabat Mater—Mary standing at the foot of the cross.

 OCTOBER—THE MONTH OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY.  In 1917 Our Lady of Fatima appeared to three shepherd children six times from May to October. She said she was “Our Lady of the Rosary”. In the first appearance she told the children to pray the Rosary every day. She taught them to pray this prayer after each decade, that we continue to pray today: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy.” In each subsequent appearance, Our Lady reminded them to continue praying the Rosary daily. Our Lady asks that of us as well!

24. OCTOBER 7^TH.  Technically, the Church celebrates Our Lady of the Rosary on the 7^th of October. This commemorates the victory of the Christians over the Moslem Turks in the famous Battle of Lepanto. This victory is attributed to the intercession of Mary due to the recitation of the most Holy Rosary that Pope Saint Pius V encouraged all to pray for just such a victory!

25. NOVEMBER 22^ND—THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHILD MARY IN THE TEMPLE.  The Church celebrates the Tradition that Mary when she was a small child was presented to the Temple by her parents Saints Anne and Joachim. In the Temple, even as a child, Mary was being prepared for her most exalted and sublime mission, that of becoming the true Mother of God.

This relatively short essay can be of great use to all of us who love both the Church and Mary who is the Mother of the Church—the two are often interchangeable. Hopefully, we can become more aware of these Marian Liturgical celebrations. In all truth, Mary rejoices when we, her spiritual children, not only go inside the Church to visit, but most especially, when we attend Mass and participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass fully, actively and consciously! Indeed in Mexico (Guadalupe); Lourdes, France; and Fatima, Portugal Our Lady requested that a Church be built. Why? So that we who are part of the Mystical Body of Christ, its members, might receive Jesus worthily in Holy Communion. Every time we attend Mass and receive Jesus with faith, fervor and devotion this fills the Heart of Mary, who is the Mother of the Mystical Body of Christ, with immense joy. Let us follow Jesus closely in the Liturgical Year, but also have our eyes attentive and open to the Presence of Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our Heavenly Mother.

Friday after Epiphany

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7th    Lk. 5:12-16   “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”

Jesus wills to make each one of us clean! The Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation washes us clean. However, the Sacrament of Confession isn’t just about having our sins forgiven. It is about conversion, a clean heart, a new and right spirit within me, as in David’s heartfelt psalm/prayer of repentance.

Ps 51: 1-2, 3-4, 10:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins!

For I know my transgressions, and my sins are ever before me.

Against you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight,

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and steadfast spirit within me.

“Create in me a clean heart”, the Heart of Jesus Himself! Today we will do an Ignatian Repetition of yesterday’s meditation: The Beatitudes: Attitudes of the Heart of Jesus. May this be our heartfelt prayer: “Jesus meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto thine!”

THE BEATITUDES: ATTITUDES OF THE HEART OF JESUS by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

(Note: After each Beatitude, a prayer petition is added. Then write your own prayer petition.)

THE PREACHING OF JESUS AT HIS BEST.  Our meditation/contemplation will be on the preaching of Jesus. In fact you might even present as the heart of His preaching, the Sermon on the Mount, which can be found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7. However, the focus of this meditation is Jesus’ preaching of the EIGHT BEATITUDES and their promises. (Mt 5:1-12) Pope Saint John Paul II stated: “The Beatitudes are a mirror into the Heart of Jesus.” If you sincerely want to have a glimpse into the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His most sublime virtues, then enter into the Beatitudes. That will be our meditation, our contemplation, and our challenge—to really get to know Jesus more intimately, love Him more ardently, and be motivated to follow Him more closely so as to bring others to Him, and last, but by no means least, to become like Him.

Until like Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

FIRST BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus lived what He preached starting out with this first Beatitude. Jesus was rejected before He was born – “there was no room for them at the inn”. (Lk 2:7) He was born in a poor stable in Bethlehem. He worked a hard and demanding job as a Carpenter. Once He left home, He had no fixed abode, as He Himself said: “The foxes have their holes and the birds of the air have their nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Lk 9:58) For three years Jesus lived relying and depending totally on the Father’s Divine and Providential care. He died rejected on the cross, stripped of His garments and of His dignity. Finally, He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Jesus truly lived poverty, detachment, and total trust in God.

What about us? Have we become a slave of things? Have we allowed our possessions to possess us? Are we attached to persons, places, things, opinions, circumstances, even our own way of thinking and mode of living? There is a lot here. What are we attached to? Better said, what are we not attached to! Let us examine our life and pray over this Beatitude! 

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to cling only to you!” Now write your petition.

SECOND BEATITUDE: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Three times we see Jesus weeping in His Public life. First, over the city of Jerusalem: “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Mt 23:37) Second, at the death of His friend Lazarus, with Mary and Martha present: “Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’” (Jn 11:35-36) Third, in the Garden of Gethsemane, entering into His Passion. This is recounted in the Letter to the Hebrews: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” (Heb 5:7)

What profit can be derived from weeping? Our Lady of La Salette (France) wept for the sins of the people. Our Lady of Syracuse (Sicily) wept. Our Lady of Akita (Japan) wept tears of blood for the sins of the people. Saint Monica wept profuse tears for the conversion of her wayward son who became a great Saint and Doctor of the Church, Saint Augustine.

Therefore, in reparation, pray over this Beatitude and weep, most especially for your own personal sins, then for the sins of wayward family members, and finally for the sins of the world at large. “Be converted, because the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk 1:15)

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, grant me the grace of true contrition for my sins and the sins of others, with the desire that none will be lost!” Now write your petition.

THIRD BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land.” 

Meekness is not weakness but powerful emotion under control. Often meekness is translated or understood as the virtue, so necessary, of PATIENCE!!! Once again we contemplate the infinite patience of Jesus at all times and places. His patience with His faulty and flawed Apostles. His patience with the Pharisees constantly attacking Him. His patience with the many sinners who came to Him. Most especially, His patience in His Passion. His patience carrying the cross—now stumbling and falling, now getting up again. His patience and mercy toward His enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) 

Let us contemplate Jesus and beg for true meekness of heart with this prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.” Let us pray for patience with God and His dealings with us; patience with others, especially family members; and patience with ourselves. Most important, let us never give in to discouragement. When we fall, get up! Nunc Coepi—Now I begin. “Even if I should fall a thousand times a day, a thousand times I will get up again and say Nunc Cœpi–Now I begin.” (Ven. Bruno Lanteri, Founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary)

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and never to judge.” Now write your petition.

FOURTH BEATITUDE:  “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness or holiness, for they will be satisfied.”

Jesus is holy—meaning, the whole life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a model of resplendent and perfect holiness—a model to follow, to imitate. Jesus wants us to be holy, to become a great saint! Later, Jesus will issue an imperative command: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt 5:48) What Jesus commands us to do, He will give the grace and power to carry out.

First, we must beg fervently, frequently, and full of faith for the grace to be holy. Then in all of our words, actions, and intentions may we have Jesus always before our eyes. One of the most famous books ever written is precisely that: The Imitation of Christ!!! Beg for the grace to live out this wonderful but challenging Beatitude. May the prayer of the Psalmist be yours and mine: “As the deer yearns for running streams, so my soul longs for you, O Lord my God.” (Ps 42:1) May we hunger and thirst for God and for holiness, above any other person, place or thing in our lives!!!

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, you are the Tailor, I am the cloth, make me a saint, even when it hurts.” Now write your petition.

FIFTH BEATITUDE:  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Once again, Jesus is our sublime and supreme model in His preaching and in His life-style. A few of His teachings on the importance of mercy:

+++ “Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36)

+++ “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (The Our Father)

+++ “I tell you, anyone who is angry with a brother will be subject to judgment. Leave your gift and first be reconciled to your brother and then offer your gift.” (Mt 5:22-23)

+++ “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34 – first words of Jesus as He hung from the cross.)

Of course the most sublime example of mercy shown by Jesus, as mentioned above, was when He hung from the cross, basically an open, gaping wound: “Father forgive, them for they know not what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) Scourged, crowned with thorns, spat upon, insulted, abandoned by His friends, and seemingly by His Heavenly Father, what does Jesus do? He forgives them from the depths of His Pierced Heart! What a sublime example of love, compassion, forgiveness, and especially the BEATITUDE of MERCY!!!

Your own life and Mercy. Dig into the depths of your heart and be sincere, honest and transparent. How many times in your life have you been willing to forgive??? Beg now for the grace to forgive all those who have hurt you, and especially beg for the grace to reject resentment and the hard feelings that militate against living out this Beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” Saint Ignatius gives us the secret to achieve this: Agere Contra, meaning act against. Act against your resentment and hard feelings by praying daily for the persons who have hurt you in your life, even if you don’t feel like it, especially if you don’t feel like it! This is not hypocrisy, this is heroic virtue. God’s grace will do the rest! And the person God will set free, will be you!

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, give me your Heart to love with when my heart is too small!” Now write your petition.

SIXTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the clean of heart (pure of heart) for they will see God.”

A most challenging virtue and disposition of heart and soul to live. Jesus is our model always and at all times! Jesus’ eyes, mind, heart, soul, body, and even His intentions were always most pure, and focused on the Face of the Eternal Father. The will of Jesus was to carry out the will of His Heavenly Father. Our Lady of Fatima said with sadness that most souls are lost as a result of impurity—breaking the 6th and 9th Commandments. Look into your inner being, your life past and present, and humbly beg for purity. Beg for purity of eyes, ears, body, mind, heart, soul, and even purity of intention. In the words of Saint Paul: “Whether you eat or drink do all for the honor and glory of God.” (1Cor. 10:31) Call to mind the motto of Saint Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises: A.M.D.G.—All for the honor and glory of God. Finally, in the words of Saint Paul again: “You have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus; therefore, glorify God in your bodies!” (1 Cor. 6:20)

Our bodies are Temples of the living God! May we use them in all times and places to glorify God. In closing, turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary and consecrate yourself to her most pure and Immaculate Heart: “Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!” Take the thorns from her Heart, and crown her Heart instead with beautiful roses—the rose petals of purity of heart, mind, body, and soul!!!

Prayer Petition: “Mary, my Queen and my Mother, I consecrate myself entirely to you this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire being without reserve. As I am your own dear Mother, keep me and guard me as your property and possession!”  Now write your petition.

SEVENTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the peace-makers for they will be called the children of God.”

Lift your eyes to Jesus and beg for the grace to live out this Beatitude that refers to peace! The Prophet Isaiah called Jesus the Prince of Peace. Jesus would greet the Apostles with the word: SHALOM meaning—PEACE BE WITH YOU! Upon the birth of Jesus, the angelic choir sang: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will.” (Lk 2: 13-14) Upon appearing to the Apostles in the Upper Room that first Easter Sunday night, Jesus addressed the Apostles in these words: “‘Shalom! As the Father sends me so I send you.’ And He breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven, and whose sins you hold bound, they will be held bound.’” (Jn. 20:21-23)

A key Sacramental interpretation of this beatitude is the following: to be a true peace-maker, we must first be at peace with God by renouncing sin and our sinful patterns. For we will never be at peace with others while we are at war with God and within ourselves! How can this be done? Most clearly by forming the habit of frequent, well-prepared, and well-made Sacramental Confessions. What beautiful and consoling words from the priest: “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Your sins are forgiven, go in PEACE!” Meditate upon this Beatitude and examine your habit of Confession and the quality of your confessions. There likely is room for improvement! May Our Lady, Queen of Peace, come to our aid!

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, help me be faithful to my Daily Examen, aware of even my venial sins, faults and failings and bring them to Confession, so the seedling will not take root and become the tree of serious sin.” Now write your petition.

EIGHTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

Once again, clearly not only did Jesus teach this but He lived it to the highest degree of perfection. Not only was Jesus persecuted, He went through His most bitter Passion, suffering, and death on the cross. All of this is a most sublime teaching of the Beatitude on Persecution. As the Acts of the Apostles states: “Jesus went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38) Despite His kindness and all the good He did—His love for the poor, the sick, the suffering, the marginalized, the forgotten and neglected, even the little children, the orphans and widows, forgiving the penitents—still Jesus was nailed to the cross.

Therefore, if we really live out the first Seven Beatitudes, our reward is the Eighth: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Indeed, if you are really and truly living out the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then you will experience some form of persecution. It might be at work, or in your extended family, or even in your immediate family, maybe even from your spouse and children. Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace but war, especially in the family. Family members will be divided because of their allegiance and love for Jesus the Lord. We cannot serve money and God, nor the world and God. They are diametrically opposed. Jesus must be our alpha and omega, our beginning and end, our principle and foundation, our purpose and meaning in life. Jesus has to be the ardent and constant desire of our heart. Who were those who really lived out this last Beatitude to the highest degree? Obviously this would be the class that we call the MARTYRS—a word meaning witness. They gave the most eloquent witness to their love for the Lord Jesus by imitating Jesus in shedding their blood for Him! “No greater love exists than to give one’s life for his friends.” (Jn 15:30)

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, I shrink from the cross. But Father Ed says you will not give us a cross without the corresponding grace to carry it! Jesus, I love you! Jesus, I trust in you! Jesus, never let me be separated from you!” Now write your petition.

CONCLUSION

May this serious and deep meditation on the Beatitudes spur you on with every fiber of your being to get to know Jesus more fully, love Him more ardently, and follow Him more closely, so as to bring others to Him more frequently, and live out the words of Saint Paul related to our transformation in Christ: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

Biographical notes: Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exultate has left an excellent commentary on the Beatitudes, Chapter Three, Numbers 63-109. Also, the modern author, preacher and Retreat Director, Jacques Phillipe, has written a book on the Beatitudes. Great resources for our spiritual life and growth!

Thursday after Epiphany

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6th    Lk. 4:14-22   “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.”

How interesting, “glad tidings to the poor.” How often do think of ourselves as the poor. If we are honest, probably not often. Yet in truth we are all poor. We have nothing that our good God has not given to us, starting with our very being—our life and the air we breathe!

A great way to start the New Year is to understand what is important to Jesus and try with His grace to let that define who we are. With Jesus it is a matter of the heart. Pope Francis wrote a wonderful letter to priests and seminarians with one request. That every night before retiring, they go before the Lord and in His Presence ask themselves one question: Where was my heart today? For loving Jesus and following Jesus is a matter of the heart—conforming our heart to His Heart! When we die and stand before the Lord, nothing else will matter. “In the twilight of life, we will be judged on love.” (Saint John of the Cross) And the standard of that love is the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

Finally, we cannot possibly plumb the depths of the Eight Beatitudes and the Heart of Jesus with Fr. Ed’s profound commentary in one holy hour. Therefore, tomorrow’s meditation will be an Ignatian Repetition! So take your time to pray and meditate and allow Our Lord to conform your heart to more resemble His in these beautiful Be Attitudes!

THE BEATITUDES: ATTITUDES OF THE HEART OF JESUS by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

(Note: After each Beatitude, a prayer petition is added. Then write your own prayer petition.)

THE PREACHING OF JESUS AT HIS BEST.  Our meditation/contemplation will be on the preaching of Jesus. In fact you might even present as the heart of His preaching, the Sermon on the Mount, which can be found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapters 5, 6, and 7. However, the focus of this meditation is Jesus’ preaching of the EIGHT BEATITUDES and their promises. (Mt 5:1-12) Pope Saint John Paul II stated: “The Beatitudes are a mirror into the Heart of Jesus.” If you sincerely want to have a glimpse into the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His most sublime virtues, then enter into the Beatitudes. That will be our meditation, our contemplation, and our challenge—to really get to know Jesus more intimately, love Him more ardently, and be motivated to follow Him more closely so as to bring others to Him, and last, but by no means least, to become like Him. Until like Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

FIRST BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus lived what He preached starting out with this first Beatitude. Jesus was rejected before He was born – “there was no room for them at the inn”. (Lk 2:7) He was born in a poor stable in Bethlehem. He worked a hard and demanding job as a Carpenter. Once He left home, He had no fixed abode, as He Himself said: “The foxes have their holes and the birds of the air have their nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Lk 9:58) For three years Jesus lived relying and depending totally on the Father’s Divine and Providential care. He died rejected on the cross, stripped of His garments and of His dignity. Finally, He was buried in a borrowed tomb. Jesus truly lived poverty, detachment, and total trust in God.

What about us? Have we become a slave of things? Have we allowed our possessions to possess us? Are we attached to persons, places, things, opinions, circumstances, even our own way of thinking and mode of living? There is a lot here. What are we attached to? Better said, what are we not attached to! Let us examine our life and pray over this Beatitude!  

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to cling only to you!” Now write your petition.

SECOND BEATITUDE: “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Three times we see Jesus weeping in His Public life. First, over the city of Jerusalem: “How often would I have gathered your children to me as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing.” (Mt 23:37) Second, at the death of His friend Lazarus, with Mary and Martha present: “Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’” (Jn 11:35-36) Third, in the Garden of Gethsemane, entering into His Passion. This is recounted in the Letter to the Hebrews: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death.” (Heb 5:7)

What profit can be derived from weeping? Our Lady of La Salette (France) wept for the sins of the people. Our Lady of Syracuse (Sicily) wept. Our Lady of Akita (Japan) wept tears of blood for the sins of the people. Saint Monica wept profuse tears for the conversion of her wayward son who became a great Saint and Doctor of the Church, Saint Augustine.

Therefore, in reparation, pray over this Beatitude and weep, most especially for your own personal sins, then for the sins of wayward family members, and finally for the sins of the world at large. “Be converted, because the Kingdom of God is at hand.” (Mk 1:15)

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, grant me the grace of true contrition for my sins and the sins of others, with the desire that none will be lost!” Now write your petition.

THIRD BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the land.” 

Meekness is not weakness but powerful emotion under control. Often meekness is translated or understood as the virtue, so necessary, of PATIENCE!!! Once again we contemplate the infinite patience of Jesus at all times and places. His patience with His faulty and flawed Apostles. His patience with the Pharisees constantly attacking Him. His patience with the many sinners who came to Him. Most especially, His patience in His Passion. His patience carrying the cross—now stumbling and falling, now getting up again. His patience and mercy toward His enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) 

Let us contemplate Jesus and beg for true meekness of heart with this prayer: “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.” Let us pray for patience with God and His dealings with us; patience with others, especially family members; and patience with ourselves. Most important, let us never give in to discouragement. When we fall, get up! Nunc Coepi—Now I begin. “Even if I should fall a thousand times a day, a thousand times I will get up again and say Nunc Cœpi–Now I begin.” (Ven. Bruno Lanteri, Founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary)

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and never to judge.” Now write your petition.

FOURTH BEATITUDE:  “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness or holiness, for they will be satisfied.”

Jesus is holy—meaning, the whole life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a model of resplendent and perfect holiness—a model to follow, to imitate. Jesus wants us to be holy, to become a great saint! Later, Jesus will issue an imperative command: “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.” (Mt 5:48) What Jesus commands us to do, He will give the grace and power to carry out.

First, we must beg fervently, frequently, and full of faith for the grace to be holy. Then in all of our words, actions, and intentions may we have Jesus always before our eyes. One of the most famous books ever written is precisely that: The Imitation of Christ!!! Beg for the grace to live out this wonderful but challenging Beatitude. May the prayer of the Psalmist be yours and mine: “As the deer yearns for running streams, so my soul longs for you, O Lord my God.” (Ps 42:1) May we hunger and thirst for God and for holiness, above any other person, place or thing in our lives!!!

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, you are the Tailor, I am the cloth, make me a saint, even when it hurts.”  Now write your petition.

FIFTH BEATITUDE:  “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Once again, Jesus is our sublime and supreme model in His preaching and in His life-style. A few of His teachings on the importance of mercy:

+++ “Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36)

+++ “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (The Our Father)

+++ “I tell you, anyone who is angry with a brother will be subject to judgment. Leave your gift and first be reconciled to your brother and then offer your gift.” (Mt 5:22-23)

+++ “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34 – first words of Jesus as He hung from the cross.)

Of course the most sublime example of mercy shown by Jesus, as mentioned above, was when He hung from the cross, basically an open, gaping wound: “Father forgive, them for they know not what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) Scourged, crowned with thorns, spat upon, insulted, abandoned by His friends, and seemingly by His Heavenly Father, what does Jesus do? He forgives them from the depths of His Pierced Heart! What a sublime example of love, compassion, forgiveness, and especially the BEATITUDE of MERCY!!!

Your own life and Mercy. Dig into the depths of your heart and be sincere, honest and transparent. How many times in your life have you been willing to forgive??? Beg now for the grace to forgive all those who have hurt you, and especially beg for the grace to reject resentment and the hard feelings that militate against living out this Beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” Saint Ignatius gives us the secret to achieve this: Agere Contra, meaning act against. Act against your resentment and hard feelings by praying daily for the persons who have hurt you in your life, even if you don’t feel like it, especially if you don’t feel like it! This is not hypocrisy, this is heroic virtue. God’s grace will do the rest! And the person God will set free, will be you!

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, give me your Heart to love with when my heart is too small!” Now write your petition.

SIXTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the clean of heart (pure of heart) for they will see God.”

A most challenging virtue and disposition of heart and soul to live. Jesus is our model always and at all times! Jesus’ eyes, mind, heart, soul, body, and even His intentions were always most pure, and focused on the Face of the Eternal Father. The will of Jesus was to carry out the will of His Heavenly Father. Our Lady of Fatima said with sadness that most souls are lost as a result of impurity—breaking the 6th and 9th Commandments. Look into your inner being, your life past and present, and humbly beg for purity. Beg for purity of eyes, ears, body, mind, heart, soul, and even purity of intention. In the words of Saint Paul: “Whether you eat or drink do all for the honor and glory of God.” (1Cor. 10:31) Call to mind the motto of Saint Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises: A.M.D.G.—All for the honor and glory of God. Finally, in the words of Saint Paul again: “You have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus; therefore, glorify God in your bodies!” (1 Cor. 6:20)

Our bodies are Temples of the living God! May we use them in all times and places to glorify God. In closing, turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary and consecrate yourself to her most pure and Immaculate Heart: “Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!” Take the thorns from her Heart, and crown her Heart instead with beautiful roses—the rose petals of purity of heart, mind, body, and soul!!!

Prayer Petition: “Mary, my Queen and my Mother, I consecrate myself entirely to you this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my entire being without reserve. As I am your own dear Mother, keep me and guard me as your property and possession!”  Now write your petition.

SEVENTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are the peace-makers for they will be called the children of God.”

Lift your eyes to Jesus and beg for the grace to live out this Beatitude that refers to peace! The Prophet Isaiah called Jesus the Prince of Peace. Jesus would greet the Apostles with the word: SHALOM meaning—PEACE BE WITH YOU! Upon the birth of Jesus, the angelic choir sang: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of good will.” (Lk 2:13-14) Upon appearing to the Apostles in the Upper Room that first Easter Sunday night, Jesus addressed the Apostles in these words: “‘Shalom! As the Father sends me so I send you.’ And He breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven, and whose sins you hold bound, they will be held bound.’” (Jn. 20:21-23)

A key Sacramental interpretation of this beatitude is the following: to be a true peace-maker, we must first be at peace with God by renouncing sin and our sinful patterns. For we will never be at peace with others while we are at war with God and within ourselves! How can this be done? Most clearly by forming the habit of frequent, well-prepared, and well-made Sacramental Confessions. What beautiful and consoling words from the priest: “I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Your sins are forgiven, go in PEACE!” Meditate upon this Beatitude and examine your habit of Confession and the quality of your confessions. There likely is room for improvement! May Our Lady, Queen of Peace, come to our aid!

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, help me be faithful to my Daily Examen, aware of even venial sins, faults and failings and bring them to Confession, so the seedling will not take root and become the tree of serious sin.”  Now write your petition.

EIGHTH BEATITUDE: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

Once again, clearly not only did Jesus teach this but He lived it to the highest degree of perfection. Not only was Jesus persecuted, He went through His most bitter Passion, suffering, and death on the cross. All of this is a most sublime teaching of the Beatitude on Persecution. As the Acts of the Apostles states: “Jesus went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38) Despite His kindness and all the good He did—His love for the poor, the sick, the suffering, the marginalized, the forgotten and neglected, even the little children, the orphans and widows, forgiving the penitents—still Jesus was nailed to the cross.

Therefore, if we really live out the first Seven Beatitudes, our reward is the Eighth: “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Indeed, if you are really and truly living out the Gospel of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then you will experience some form of persecution. It might be at work, or in your extended family, or even in your immediate family, maybe even from your spouse and children. Jesus said that He did not come to bring peace but war, especially in the family. Family members will be divided because of their allegiance and love for Jesus the Lord. We cannot serve money and God, nor the world and God. They are diametrically opposed. Jesus must be our alpha and omega, our beginning and end, our principle and foundation, our purpose and meaning in life. Jesus has to be the ardent and constant desire of our heart. Who were those who really lived out this last Beatitude to the highest degree? Obviously this would be the class that we call the MARTYRS—a word meaning witness. They gave the most eloquent witness to their love for the Lord Jesus by imitating Jesus in shedding their blood for Him! “No greater love exists than to give one’s life for his friends.” (Jn 15:30)

Prayer Petition: “Lord Jesus, I shrink from the cross. But Father Ed says you will not give us a cross without the corresponding grace to carry it! Jesus, I love you! Jesus, I trust in you! Jesus, never let me be separated from you!”  Now write your petition.

CONCLUSION

May this serious and deep meditation on the Beatitudes spur you on with every fiber of your being to get to know Jesus more fully, love Him more ardently, and follow Him more closely, so as to bring others to Him more frequently, and live out the words of Saint Paul related to our transformation in Christ: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

Biographical notes: Pope Francis in Gaudete et Exultate has left an excellent commentary on the Beatitudes, Chapter Three, Numbers 63-109. Also, the modern author, preacher and Retreat Director, Jacques Phillipe, has written a book on the Beatitudes. Great resources for our spiritual life and growth!

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time