The beatitudes given by Jesus in last Sunday's Gospel are important to each one of us today as well. If we are true followers of Christ and sincere Christians, we will take the rough as well the smooth, the poverty as well as the plenty, the sorrows as well as the joys. All of us are called to be agents of God’s love. If the poor and others in pain are to experience God’s love, it is mainly through the rest of us that this should happen. Ongoing poverty and hunger in our world is not something to blame on God but on those of us who belong to the rich, filled, laughing group. We cannot call ourselves disciples unless we reach out in love to abolish material poverty, physical hunger and try to relieve the deep unhappiness and depression that afflicts others.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
 
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.’
God will bring good to the people who need Him. We are called to focus on the poor, not status or riches.
“The Kingdom of heaven belongs to them,” said Jesus.
 
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
God will bring good to people who cry. They will feel better. We are called to empathy, grieving over the injustices in the world.
 
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
God will bring good to those who think others are more important than themselves. The earth will belong to them.
 
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
God will bring good to people who are hungry for what is right. We are called to righteousness, seeking justice, not vengeance, even for those that we don’t really like.
 
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
God will bring good to people who are kind. God will be kind to them. We are called to mercy, extending compassion to all those in need.
 
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
God will bring good to people whose hearts are clean and free from sin. They will see God. We are called to integrity, being wholehearted in a desire to do what is right, not what is popular.
 
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
God will bring good to people who make peace. They will be called God’s children.We are called to work for peace in the midst of violence.
 
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”
God will bring good to people if people laugh at them or hurt them for doing good. God has great gifts for you in Heaven. We are called to perseverance, suffering for just causes, not inflicting suffering on others.
 
The Gospel of the Lord.
 
Thank you to all of the families that came to Mass on Saturday night to help celebrate the Church's 130th birthday. Father Sean was very happy to see so many people.

There is a growing number of students arriving at school very early in the morning, please be reminded that supervision does not start until 8:20