“Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours…”” (Lk 6:20)

Our Lord completely reverses the order of the world. Blessed are the poor, hungry, weeping, and when people hate you—everything normally associated with “woe.” And on the other hand, we have “woe” to all the signs of “prosperity” — again normally associated with a “blessing.” To be more or to have more?

“Rejoice and leap for joy! Your reward will be great in heaven.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles…” (Lk 6:12-13)

St. Benedict described life dedicated to God as an ora et labora – pray and work (or pray and labor). Prayer and work are partners; contemplation and action are not in opposition to each other but need each other. Our Lord “spent the night in prayer to God,” and after that “he chose Twelve.”

“Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen, I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property.” (Communion Antiphon)

“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Rom 13:9 – 10)

When you truly love, you care about the other person. If something is wrong between the two of you, you should work toward reconciliation: first—alone, then—with one or two others, and finally—with the church. Only then can you stop fighting. True love never tires of taking care of my neighbor.

“God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we respond gently.” (1 Cor 4: 12 – 13)

It is so easy to answer in a way much different from St Paul’s, and with a good excuse—I was ridiculed, persecuted or slandered; it is not my fault that I lost my temper. St. Paul brings us a much wider perspective: we can be ourselves; there is no need to be like a mirror—just a reflection of someone else’s behavior. “For freedom Christ set us free” (Gal 5: 1).

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.” (1 Cor 4: 5)

We try to say something nice, we have plans to call a friend, or we want to go home earlier, but nothing comes of it. Fortunately, Our Lord knows “the motives of our hearts” and “will bring to light what is hidden.” My prayers for friends, my mortifications and all hidden victories “will receive praise from God” even if no one else noticed.

“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.’ Simon said in reply, ‘Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.’ When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.” (Lk 5: 4-6)

Our part is—“work hard,” His—“a great number of fish.” All the fruits of our apostolic work depend on Him: “at your command.” Sometimes we think that we know better—“we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing”; but even then we can say: BUT, “but at your command”… and put our trust in Him and His word and not on our experience and knowledge.

“How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you.” (Communion Antiphon)

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hbr 13:8). Our Lord always visits every town with “the good news of the Kingdom of God.” We can meet Him in every tabernacle, every Church and every human being. More or less visible, but always present. He brings the good news to me, to you and to the world.

“The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“They were all amazed and said to one another, ‘What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.’” (Lk 4:36)

How happy we are, protected all the time by His word. He uses His authority and power against everything which is tries to attack us. For us He is full of compassion, mercy and tenderness, but for the “unclean spirits” He shows all His power and authority.

“Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I cry to you all the day long. O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of mercy to all who call to you.” (Entrance antiphon)

“I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Cor 2:2)

Nothing more, nothing less—Jesus Christ crucified—is the only answer to all our needs, questions and difficulties. Inviting Him into our lives and letting Him work through us is the true wisdom.

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Communion Antiphon)