First Reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13
Reflection:
Zephaniah was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah shortly before the Babylonians conquered them, destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem, and exiled many of the people to Babylon in 586 B.C. He warned the people of the coming judgment of God and exhorted them to repent of their wickedness. Zephaniah called upon the people to “seek the Lord” out of humility and through obedience to God’s law. He then communicated that despite the overall disobedience of the people that God would not abandon them but would leave a remnant of faithful people in their midst. This remnant would witness purity of heart to the rest of the people. They would be light in the midst of darkness. We too are called to follow the words of Zephaniah in order to be among the faithful ones. Even if everyone around us is not following the Lord, we are called to seek Him in humble obedience, so that we may be among the saints who witness the truth to the world.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Reflection:
The world’s standards are often not the same as God’s standards. Our society tends to measure success by how much stuff you have or how many zeros are at the end of your paycheck or how well-known you are. There is a sort of fixation with status in our world. We’re always trying to one-up the next person. But God does not operate on those standards. He is not looking for the best looking, most successful person to help Him accomplish His will. Rather, He is simply looking for people who are humble. God wants those who are not caught up in themselves but are open to being taught His ways. We are called to be people who don’t seek our own gain and attention but offer our lives out of humility to the Lord. It does not, therefore, matter how “successful” we are according to the world’s standards but what matters is whether or not we use what we have been given in order to glorify God. Let us, thus, not boast in ourselves and how successful we are but boast only in the Lord. And let us seek Him with sincere humility.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12a
Reflection:
This Sunday’s gospel reading comes from the beginning of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount.” We hear, in particular, the beatitudes, which teach us how Jesus wants us to live as His followers. The beatitudes teach us that to be a Christian means to live contrary to the ways of this world. The world says success is based on wealth, but Jesus says we are to be “poor in spirit.” Money itself is not bad, but “the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). Jesus calls us to be detached from wealth. Furthermore, the world tells us to seek pleasure. Just think of the popular phrase, “If it feels right, do it.” Rather, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn.” The world tells us to seek power, but Jesus says be “meek.” Moreover, the world says to be honored and have the approval of others is important, but Jesus says, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.” Simply put, the beatitudes are the “how to” of sainthood. Saints are “meek;” they are “pure of heart;” saints are “merciful” and “peacemakers;” they “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” God’s children are even willing to be persecuted and insulted for the sake of Christ. Therefore, if you want to be a saint, seek these things. Strive to align yourself with the beatitudes and, if you find it difficult, just remember, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.” In other words, it’s all worth it in the end.
Application:
• Read through the beatitudes again. Then, reflect on how well you are living each of them. What areas of growth does this reveal? Commit this week to growing in one of the beatitudes.
• Pride is the root of all sin, so humility is the key to sanctity. In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride? Where do you need to let go of pride and humbly say ‘yes’ to God’s will?
