“BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY” (Matt 5:7)

⏰Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time 1 (12 June 2017)

????2 Cor 1:1-7; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (R.v.9a); Matt 5:1-12

My dear, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 1:2), amen.

As we begin this new working week, Jesus gives us a set of Beatitudes to guide our conducts today and beyond (cf. Matt 5:1-12). These beatitudes teach us the right way to behave in order to be true disciples of Jesus, disciples of love (cf. John 13:35).

The setting of the Sermon on the Mount, during which Jesus gives those beatitudes, reminds us of the encounter between God and Moses on the mountain. God had called to him from the mountain and gave him the Law for the people (cf. Exodus 19:3ff). Now, Jesus, from the mountain also, gives his disciples a new Law.

At one time he said, “A new commandment I give you, love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another” (John 13:34).

Can you now see the relationship which that has with the teaching of St. Paul in 2 Cor 1:3-7? To be true disciples of Jesus, we must try to spread the mercy and love of God throughout the world. In that way, we shall also be working out our blessings because there is nobody who follows Jesus faithfully who would not reap good fruits (cf. Mark 10:29-30).

May the mercy of God continue to locate us at all times, and may we learn to share this mercy with all who are in need of it, and so help in establishing the kingdom of God on earth. Amen.

I wish you a happy new working week entrenched in God’s mercy. Peace be with you.