Strive to be Blessed!

Gospel Reflection for June 12, 2023

When he 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.’” (Mt. 5:1-12 NABRE)

Whereas the world praises those who are popular, athletic, wealthy, fashionable, charismatic, attractive, funny—you name it(!)—our Lord Jesus elevates to blessed those who are meek, poor in spirit, merciful, persecuted, clean of heart, and those who desire righteousness.

The world often compels us to meet certain standards or to live a certain way in order to fit in and be praised by others. At every age, there are certain milestones that we feel pressured to accomplish in order to be considered worthy of acceptance. Whether its going to a good college, being in a relationship/having sex/getting married by a certain age, getting a good and well-paying job, being out-going and likeable in social settings, or looking young forever, there are certain standards that the world expects us to meet. And if these standards are not met, we’re often looked down on by others.

Have you ever experienced not measuring up? Or not being enough in some way or another? I know I have!

And you know what? That’s okay.

Your Father in Heaven does not judge you or love you any more or less based on your worldly achievements. It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive, what you look like, if you’re quiet/shy/awkward, or if you fail to meet any of the other superficial standards of the world.

These things do not matter to the Lord. You do not need to impress Him, or win His approval, in order for Him to love you. He loves you regardless.

Whereas the world tries to distract us and steal our peace by pressuring us to spend our time focusing on external things that do not matter, Jesus calls us to focus on internal things that do. He calls us to purify our hearts, to pursue and desire righteousness, to be merciful, meek, and poor in spirit. These are the things that really count.

So, pursue righteousness! Grow in holiness and virtue. Live for God in all that you do, think, and speak. And if the world looks down on you for following the Lord’s ways rather than its own, Jesus says, “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.” (Mt. 5:11-12)

“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Mk. 8:36)