Monday of the 10th week in the ordinary time, year A
Theme: A message of hope
In our readings today, we see a message of hope, from both the 1st reading and, in the gospel. In the 1st reading of today St. Paul presents a message of hope to us, telling us about the love and mercy of God. Paul points out the fact that our hope in God is unshakable because we trust in the fact that we are partakers in his life, and he comforts us in times of difficulties and challenges of life. By implication, we acknowledge the fact that we are in union with God, and as such, we should emulate him in our words and actions as his representatives of God here on earth. The word of God continues to encourage and strengthen the faith of all those who trust in it.
Dear friends in Christ, there is power in the word of God, for all those who acknowledge that fact and make honest and sincere effort to practice it in their daily lives. The good news is that we are not alone in all of this, no matter the situation we find ourselves, God is always making the journey with us. The situation may seem to have overwhelm us as humans, but it can never overwhelm God, who is accompanying us in our journey of faith. Let the knowledge of this fact continue to strengthen you in times of difficulties and the challenges of life.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, the Beatitudes presented to us by Jesus in the gospel reading of today, should also be a source of great strength and hope for us as children of God. This is because it presents to us a guide that will help us to become good Christians, if we allow them to guide our word and deed. In it we are also presented with some of the challenges we may encounter, because of our faith in God, and when that time comes, it should not come to us as a surprise, because Jesus has already given us a hint in the Beatitudes. So, we should be ready and prepared for it, trusting in God’s support and sustenance.
Jesus ends his teaching on the Beatitudes, with the assertion that we should rejoice, when we go through difficulties because of our faith in God, because eternal reward awaits us. These are wonderful words of encouragement coming from Jesus himself, and we must continually draw strength from it when we are faced with such challenges in our lives. Dearly beloved in Christ, the good news is that God is with us all the way. Just trust in him and hang in there! May the Lord bless his words in our hearts in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.