by Faith Central & Steve Welsh
“The Gospel passage on the Beatitudes is one of the most familiar. Yet the Beatitudes are difficult to understand because many of them are paradoxical. … The word ‘beatitude’ itself means ‘supreme blessedness.’ …”
“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5: 3). Clearly those who are truly blessed are they who throw off the cheap but heavy burdens of this world and renounce all desires for any wealth save the richness of the Creator of the world alone. For his sake they are like those who, having nothing, yet possess all things in Him ….”
… ‘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. …”
“… ‘To what shall we compare the Kingdom of #God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.’ …”
“… ‘To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God,
or what parable can we use for it?
It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground,
is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth.
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.’ …”
“#Christ is Mediator of a New #Covenant:
since a death has taken place
for deliverance from transgressions under the first Covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised Eternal Inheritance. …”
Catholic TV Mass for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 22, 2016, from Catholic TV in Boston. [Click here for Mass Readings]
“#Christ has come ‘to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace’ (Lk 1,79). What darkness are we talking about? Anything in our intelligence, will or memory that is not God or does not have God as its source, in other words everything in us that is not for God’s Glory and that separates us from God is darkness … “
“When #Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
he withdrew to Galilee.
… left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea
… From that time on, Jesus began to Preach and say,
‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’
… walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw …
Simon … called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net ….
He said …
‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’
… James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
… were in a boat …
He called them, and immediately they … followed Him. …”
“#Jesus came with His Disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
… His relatives … set out to seize Him ….”