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Gospel: Matthew 5: 1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Last year, around this time, a parishioner texted me:
“Father, please keep my friend and her husband in your prayers. They had a house fire and are now homeless. They are very faithful people. After losing everything, she texted me the lyrics to the song, ‘Goodness of God.’ You should listen to it.”
“I love you, Lord,” the lyrics go, “for your mercy never fails me. All my days, I’ve been held in your hands. From the moment that I wake up until I lay my head, I will sing of the goodness of God… You have led me through the fire. In the darkest night, You are close like no other.”
“Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
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How can someone lose everything in a house fire and still sing of the “goodness of God”?
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They are the type of person who’s blessed in today’s Gospel.
This word, blessed – in Greek, markarios – describes a joy that is self-contained; untouchable. It is completely independent of the joys and sorrows of life. It can neither be taken away nor destroyed.
It’s the type of stillness, inner peace, which Jesus promises to his followers. “No one will take your joy from you,” he says in John’s Gospel.
A change in weather, a change in fortune, a collapse in health, or a fire that consumes your home can steal the “happiness” the world offers. But nothing can take Christian joy away because it’s rooted in Christ.
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Imagine that type of joy.
Regardless of what each day brings, there’s a stillness within; a feeling that all will be well; a comfort knowing Christ is with you and will never let you be tried beyond your strength.
We invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts now, asking for that type of joy – a peace – which Christ alone gives and no one can take away.
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Image credits: (1) Dreamstime.com (2) American Psychological Association (3) YouVersion Bible App, X.com