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Tag: Blessed

  • Price of Faith

    Price of Faith

    January 29, 2023 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012923.cfm)

    A story once told about a beggar who owns nothing but his tin rice bowl to beg. He is particularly ashamed of begging that he would just bow his head & cannot even look at the eyes of others. But poverty & hunger usually force him to bully others for some money & food to survive. Like any beggars, he hopes to be free from his situation & dreams of becoming rich & wealthy someday. But he knows that his dreams of better living is just wishful thinking for he owns nothing except his old and dirty tin rice bowl – which he just inherited from his poor grandparents. Yes, he considers himself useless, hopeless, & helpless. A nobody & nothing at all, who even blames God & his family for his sufferings & poverty in life.

    Now while begging for some left-overs and coins in the market, one day a merchant approached him and asked to have a good look at his rice bowl. After examining his rice bowl, the merchant told him, “You idiot, you don’t have to beg. You should not beg at all because you are a rich person. Do you know that this rice bowl of yours is precious? This rice bowl is made of priceless gold. Just have this rice bowl clean and sell it to the highest bidder, you will be the wealthiest man in this town. You know what? If only I have money, I’ll buy it for 80 million dollars.” But the beggar just laughs off and would not believe what he heard from the merchant. He would not believe that his rice bowl is made of gold. That is why, until now, he continues to beg for alms from others… using his priceless golden rice bowl.

    There are times in our lives that we become like that beggar. The Good news of Christmas and the whole Christian life simply proclaims to us how blessed we are for God has already offered us His life and his salvation through his son, Jesus Christ.

    However, often at times we missed it, because we fail and even refuse to recognize the blessings, to the point that we do not accept the importance of the graces God has given us. It so happens that we are not contented with, and we even feel ashamed of God’s presents. Pre-occupied with our own selves, our own concerns, biases, and expectations, mostly we are blinded from the value and sacredness of God’s graces and blessings given us. 

    This is what our readings are trying to tell us today. It wishes to remind us, especially Jesus in our gospel today, that we should be awake and be aware that people who are poor, humble, helpless, weak, oppressed, and most abandoned find favor in God’s eyes. Because of their deep faith and need for God, and their acknowledgement of Jesus, as God’s gift, they are blessed and worthy of God’s kingdom.

    In our gospel today, we hear the Beatitudes. Jesus announced how blessed already we are – not for being poor, humble, helpless, mourning, weak and abandoned, but because God finds favor in us. We are blessed then because of God’s gift of our faith in Jesus, and not because of our poverty, humility, weakness, persecution, and abandonment. As our world prefers wealth, popularity, power, & prestige, we are reminded that God rather chooses & favors people of great faith and trust in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.   

    Here, Jesus encourages us to recognize and have confidence on the value of our Christian faith in life. God has already given us our Christian faith – our way of life and salvation. We must not downgrade it but instead, recognize and value its importance into our lives today. Jesus reminds us that Blessed are we and those who welcomes and follows Him for God has already endowed us with enough faith to redeem us & live our lives meaningful now & always.

    Remember his first message proclaimed: “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” that is – Change your ways… not because of our sins and mistakes but because God’s grace is here with us now. In other words, “Behave for God’s grace is Here with You”. And Now Jesus is telling us the Beatitude – proclaiming how blessed and lucky we are  -not only because we behave well, but also because God finds favor on us who have faith & trust in His son & have welcome Him into our life.

    Through the Beatitudes, Jesus is somehow proclaiming to us how Blessed and Fortunate we are who owns and treasure our golden rice bowl of faith for we are already in God’s favor. In other words, Worthy, Blessed and Fortunate are we who willingly welcome, value, and believe in Jesus, God-given gift of salvation to us, for God’s kingdom is already & always upon us. Priceless then is our Christian faith in Jesus for God finds favors in us, who believes & trusts in Him.

    Perhaps we consider these days on how maximize of own rice-bowl of faith. Do we make use of our faith just to beg… OR to honor & value Him who offers & presents us God’s favor?

    We pray then that we must learn how to see, recognize, accept, and treasure our God-given Christian faith now & always.

  • “Bless me, Father”

    “Bless me, Father”

    January 17, 2021 – Sunday, Feast of the Sto. Niño

    Click here for the readings (https://adoseofgodtoday.com/sunday-liturgy/)

    Once just right after mass, I saw a child sitting alone on the church floor worried & crying. So, I approached her & asked, “Oh, what happened? Why crying all alone.” Between sobs, she replied: “Father, I thought it was your hand that I reached to get your blessing, but it was the hand of another child. I was not able then to receive your “Amen” – your blessing”.

    Her response is not only cute but also touching, since she only aspired to get my hand for a blessing but instead, was deprived of it. So, I told her then, “Don’t worry, Inday. I am here now. You can have my hand for blessings”. After wiping her tears, she took my hands and happily pulled it to touch her forehead for blessings. And she was so happy to hold my hand to walk with me. And more so happy and proud, when I carried her up in my arms until her parents took her… (& perhaps at the envy of other children).

    In most of our churches in the Philippines, especially in Redemptorist Churches, it is unavoidable that children and young people would approach us, priests and ask our hand for a blessing after the mass. Different types of children, (big-small, active-weak, shy-gregarious) would gather around the priest with only one desire, that is to receive “Father’s blessings”, while asking: “Bless me, Father”. And I am sure they were not forced (or were not just forced) by their parents to do so, because for children, to be blessed or to be touched in their foreheads by the priest is a great, meaningful and wonderful experience and affirmation. One simple act or gesture of the priest can be a meaningful experience and can bring joy not only to the children but also to their parents, because they are affirmed and appreciated for their child.

    Even we ourselves, when we were kids, we really enjoy when somebody affirmed and gave us attention, especially by the priest. I could still remember and never forget of the joy I experienced when the priest gave me attention and affirmation. It was my first confession. I was so small and weak then when I fearfully approached a big Irish Redemptorist priest smiling, had me sit in his lap and piously listen to my first confession.  Because of that even in my childhood years, I am so happy and courageous to receive the blessing of the priest, see and talk to them because they know me and I know them, we are friends and they are human as I am. I feel like and I consider myself as I am KASALI, KABARKADA, KABERKS, KAPUSO, AT KAPAMILYA nila Father. One with Father and with the Church, part of the group, friends, family and church.

    Even now within our own family, we claim & have our own so-called “fave” priest in our parish church. So also that even now as a priest, I would really appreciate when I am blessed and prayed over by my brother priests, by elders and by my loved ones. And now during pandemic times, I do miss the children attending mass in the church (as much as they also miss being with us in the church).

    Like the little children, especially for Filipinos we also need attention, affirmation and blessing. Because for us, to receive blessing is not only a gesture of our respect and reverence but an expression of affirmation, attention, love, and support for all our endeavors in life so far, from somebody we love and respect. When our elders or leaders touch our foreheads to give us their blessings, it is an affirmation, a positive stroking for us that would mean, “I am OK. I am good and am doing fine in life. And above all, I am now blessed & also God’s blessing to others.” That is why… as priest, I really don’t mind and would love to bless or partake God’s blessing to people (both young and old).

    As much as we need God’s blessings & demand respect from others, Jesus invites us to love, respect & bless our children, for we are all God’s blessing – Blessed to bless. Like Children, God blessed us to be a blessing to all.

    In our gospel today, we hear that while his disciples are concerned with their own importance & proper decorum, Jesus instead insisted on them the importance of little children in God’s kingdom. For Jesus, children are also persons with rights and dignity. Children also enjoy personal relationship with Jesus and the Kingdom of God. They have the right and duty to God’s blessings, to grow in faith – to grow in their own personal relationship with God. It is also their calling to be a disciple – to come and follow Jesus Christ and express their response, by their love and respect, & being a blessing for God & others. That is why, Jesus asserts on us, “Let the children come to me, Don’t prevent them…for the Kingdom of God belongs to them.”

    Today, the whole Philippine Church celebrates the feast of the Sto. Niño.  We particularly honor today the child Jesus, who became part of our humanity and history. Sto. Nino plays an important role in the history & growth of our Filipino Christian faith. When in 1521 the first Filipino baptized Christians received & accepted the Sto. Nino into their lives & let their children to come & be blessed by Jesus. It gave birth to and flourish our Filipino Catholic faith which we have still live out & practice until now, after 500 years. 

    As the first Christian gift we received, the image of Sto. Nino becomes the symbol of our Filipino Catholicism, the first sacrament (symbol & means) for us to come to know, love & follow Jesus Christ. Through the Sto. Nino, Filipinos are now blessed with Christian faith & we are now God’s blessing of Christian faith to the world. Through the Sto. Nino, we Filipinos are now indeed blessed to bless others – now Gifted to give faith to the world. So now, as we are blessed by the Sto. Nino, child Jesus, may we be continually blessed & be a blessing to our children & youth of today by taking care & responsibility for the growth of their faith & mission in life, so that they may also be God’s blessings to others & to the coming generation, & thus God’s blessing continues to work & thrive in us & through us in our day to day lives. So be it. Amen.

  • How blessed am I?

    How blessed am I?

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    September 9, 2020 – Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090920.cfm)

    Homily

    How do we understand being blessed?

    Usually, when we think of a life that is blessed we think of material wealth and prosperity – like having a good family, a prosperous business, a successful career or a good paying job, or having a good health. We think that being blessed has something to do with success and material possessions.

    Thus, poverty is never a blessing; being persecuted, being sick and being rejected is never a blessing too. If we are experiencing such life, we consider ourselves to be cursed.

    However, what Jesus told us today is quite opposite of today’s standard. Our human understanding of being blessed is different from God. Indeed, there is a need for us to understand blessing and our life from God’s perspective..

    In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus warns those who in the standard of the world are blessed such as the satisfied, the rich, the powerful, the popular and the influential. The danger lies in the attitude of the heart that becomes independent from God, a heart that rejects God’s mercy and love. In fact, Jesus warns us when we tend to accumulate more wealth for ourselves at the expense of the poor, or when we gather fame and influence at the expense of others.

    Such attitude of the heart is filled with arrogance and self-centeredness that has no need of God. True enough, when we are so filled with ourselves and too satisfied of what we have gained and achieved, we don’t need God anymore. Our successes and we, ourselves, have become ‘gods.’ This leads us to worship our achievements, wealth, our power and ourselves. But then, all of these corrupt us because we will never be satisfied. We will thirst and hunger for more wealth, recognition and fame which will also lead to our own destruction and those who are around us and those blocking our way to gain for more, as any form of addiction will also result in this way.

    Indeed, dependence on these forms of material satisfactions is a mere arrogance and a false sense of security. This is actually the promise of addictions, in whatever form that may be, whether addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, influence and fame, wealth and power (political or economic power).

    However, in God’s perspective those who are poor, sick, persecuted, those who failed and rejected are blessed because it is in their poverty and difficulty that they also realize their weakness and need of God. Such insecurities bring us to understand that we are so small in this world and we are in need of God’s grace. That is why; Jesus addressed these Beatitudes to his disciples, assuring them of his presence. His disciples left their families and jobs. They went to places where sometimes they have to sleep without roof. Authorities ridiculed them and insulted them for following Jesus.

    Thus, the very presence of God in our life is what makes us “blessed.” Since God favors those who are weak, poor, suffering and struggling in life, they are the ones who are blessed because they understand their need of God. God comes to us when we are ready to accept God in our life and to let God be our God.

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    God invites us then, to recognize our own poverty and anxieties because God blesses us with His presence. This is also the message of St Paul present in his first letter to the Corinthians. Though at that time, they must have believed that the “Parousia” of the second coming of Jesus was about to happen during their lifetime as he said, “for the world in its present form is passing away.” Paul reminded the people of the need to be more attached to God rather than to what was material and temporary. Paul recognized the importance of ones dependence to God and complete trust in God’s providence. Through the presence of God present in their life, they were indeed blessed.

    So, how blessed are you? The material wealth that we have gained, the influence and fame that we have received, the successes that we have achieved, our good health, our talents and abilities, our knowledge, intelligence and competence are signs of God’s grace and generosity. When we have these, these may lead us to humble ourselves and to recognize that these are gifts and we ought to share them to others. Thus, if you have received much, share the blessings to those who are in need, if you are enjoying success in life, share the experience with those who failed especially in these trying times of the pandemic. It is in this way that the Kingdom of God will truly be present among us, and that we ourselves become the blessing. Hinaut pa.

    Jom Baring, CSsR

  • PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR FATHERS

    PRAYER OF BLESSING FOR FATHERS

    By Jom Baring, CSsR

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    OUR MOST LOVING FATHER IN HEAVEN,

    WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF OUR EARTHLY FATHERS,

    GRANDFATHERS AND THOSE WHO BECAME FATHERS TO US IN MANY WAYS.

    WE ASK YOU TO BLESS + THE FATHERS IN EVERY HOME

    AND IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

    THROUGH YOUR WISDOM,

    GRANT TO THEM THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING

    THAT THEY TOO MAY BECOME COMPASSIONATE TO THEIR CHILDREN.

    THROUGH YOUR LOVE,

    GRANT TO THEM THE GIFT OF A GENTLE HEART

    AND LET THEM ALWAYS BECOME CONFIDENT

    THAT THEY ARE LOVED BY YOU

    AND BY THOSE PEOPLE AROUND THEM.

    THROUGH YOUR MIGHT OH LORD,

    GRANT TO THEM THE STRENGTH THEY NEED

    AS THEY WORK AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

    AFFIRM THEM TOO OF THEIR VALUE

    AND THAT THEY MAY BE CHERISHED BY THEIR LOVED ONES.

    THROUGH YOUR CARE,

    GRANT ALSO THE GIFT OF HEALING

    TO THOSE FATHERS WHO ARE ILL, WHO ARE IN PAIN,

    TROUBLED AND DEPRESSED

    BECAUSE OF THE HARDSHIPS THEY FACE.

    AND FOR THOSE FATHERS

    WHO ARE NOW GONE FROM THIS EARTH,

    RECEIVE THEM ALL IN HEAVEN

    THAT THEY TOO MAY EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF YOUR PRESENCE

    WHERE THEY ARE SECURED

    IN LOVE AND ETERNAL HAPPINESS.

    GRANT THIS THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

  • WHICH VALUE SYSTEM DO WE FOLLOW?

    WHICH VALUE SYSTEM DO WE FOLLOW?

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    June 8, 2020 – Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060820.cfm)

    (This article is not a usual weekday homily as one may find this too long. This was first used as a recollection material given to a group Redemptorist Seminarians.)

    As we live our Christian vocation and commit ourselves to Jesus, the Redeemer, we encounter both joys and sorrows in our life. We also encounter temptations and challenges as disciples of Jesus. The world that we live in, the environment that we are situated with both provides challenges and opportunities for growth in our commitment to God and to our Christian Faith. 

    It would be very good then to make ourselves aware of the dynamics present in our world and in particular, in our small environment. It would be advantage to examine and be made aware of the “value systems of the modern world” that offers easy and comfortable alternative for us in living our Religious and missionary vocation and Christian Vocation in general.

    But then, we should also ask honestly ourselves, will these value systems bring me closer to myself, to my neighbors and to God? Or will they only lead me farther?

    These are the Value Systems of the Modern World.

    1. Happy are the rich and powerful, those who possess plenty because they can have whatever they want and do things instantly.
    2. Happy are the popular and pompous because they all have the praises and attention of everyone now.
    3. Happy are those who do not care of other people’s suffering for they will not be affected by such trouble.
    4. Happy are those who only stay in their own comfort zones and do not dare to give them up for they feel secured there.
    5. Happy are the aggressive; for they will get anything they want, no matter what.
    6. Happy are the proud and the arrogant because inferior people will bow on them.
    7. Happy are the bullies and haters because they will have a lot of fun over other people’s pain and weaknesses.
    8. Happy are those who do not speak up and stand up for justice, who choose not to see and hear oppression and injustice for their lives will be out of trouble and there will be no persecution from the powerful.

    These value systems are, indeed, attractive and tempting because they promise security but false security. They seemingly promise comfort and happiness for a moment but nothing for tomorrow. These values keep us away from becoming true disciples of Jesus. These are rather values of an UNBELIEVER, a secular person who rejects God’s goodness and the beauty and wonder of his/her neighbor.

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    Let me share with you THIS REFLECTION ON the Sermon on the Mount by Sharla Guenther

    We use the word bless a lot but perhaps we don’t know what it really means.

    If someone sneezes we usually hear someone say, “bless you!”  It is not completely clear why we say that but the word ‘bless’ is a positive word.

    Jesus had been walking with his disciples always teaching and talking with them.  More and more people would see Jesus and follow him because they could sense there was something special about him.  The way he spoke and what he spoke about captured everyone’s attention.

    This was one of those days when people had been following and Jesus decided to stop on a hillside with his disciples and taught those who wanted to listen.

    Jesus made ten points in the first part of his sermon known as the beatitudes.  All except one of these points start with the word blessed.  So we should probably figure out what the word means before we continue.

    To be blessed is to be more than happy.  

    Life does not always go our way, or the way we plan and expect it to be. Because of this, it does not make us happy. However, being blessed is being full of joy on the inside even if things are not perfect. Being blessed is to be grateful in life even if there are also things or aspect in our life that may seem to be lacking. 

    Thus, to be blessed is a deeper joy because we know, as believers, that the spirit of God lives in us.

    Now let us see each one the Beatitudes and the invitations for us.

    1. Blessed are those who are poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Being poor in spirit means that we are not attached to all the stuff that we have.  That you understand that God has given you all the great things or blessings and we should be very thankful and even willing to give them up or share them with others.  All our things on earth do not matter because we cannot take them with us to heaven, which will be more amazing than we can imagine.
      • To be poor in spirit also means to become confident in the providence of God, in his grace upon us. It invites us then to grow in that confidence but at the same time also to embrace the feeling of our insecurity. Hence, it is okay to feel inadequate, to feel our poverty, to feel our emptiness and lacking in something. Remember, it is when we are empty that God can also fill us. God will not be able to fill us up when we are already full of many things.
      • Chairman Cha in a K-Drama entitled Clean with Passion For Now, said, “To fill up, you must be empty and in order to grab, you must let go.”
    2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Mourning is when we are really sad. Perhaps you have cried because you got hurt or someone you knew died, but this is different from that.  This is being very upset about those people who have not heard about God or being upset about the sin in our life.  We might not think about these things very much yet but as we get closer to God this will bother us and that’s okay.  God promises to comfort us when we need it.
      • To mourn and be sorrowful of our personal sins is not about ‘being guilty.’ Guilt only leads us away from the mercy of God and from the chance of renewing our life. Guilt makes us imprisoned of our own failures and sins. To mourn is to be truly sorry of our sins with the intention to be transformed by God. To mourn accepts God’s forgiveness and allowing ourselves to be led and transformed by God in the way God want’s us to be.
    3. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.  Being meek is being patient and gentle, not easily angered and not thinking of ourselves too highly.  A bad example of this in the Bible was the Pharisees.  They would make sure people knew that they were fasting and praying and seemed proud about what they were doing for God.  Except God is looking for us to do these things without putting on a show for others but doing it just for God, not for approval from others.
      • This is an invitation for us to grow in humility, to seek God’s favor and not our own favor, to seek God’s glory and not our personal glory. Our person, our talents, intelligence and many gifts are not instruments to merely boast oneself but ways for us to recognize better our God, the giver of gifts. Thus, be mindful when we will tend to draw attention and recognition from others, when we become conscious of our self-image that we also become arrogant and worst will refuse to be corrected or criticized by our friends. 
    4. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.  Being righteous is impossible on our own.  Can we always do the right for God?  No, and God knows that.  We can do our best to do the right thing and if we don’t, we can always ask forgiveness and be renewed.  The verse not only asks us to try to be righteous but to hunger and thirst for it.  Have you ever been really hungry and thirsty?  To be truly hungry and thirsty you might have to go without food or water for more than a day or two. God wants us to need and feel like we’re starving for righteousness and He will fill us up with it.
      • This invites not to remain passive in our baptismal vows but to live our vows pro-actively. It means that we are called to exercise righteousness with full consciousness. Yet, let us also remember that at times we may fall asleep, but then, be always aware of your attitudes so that you will also be able to wake up again. In other words, make it your heart’s desire to live your Christian life with honesty, sincerity and gratitude.
    5. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  To have mercy is to be loving and kind to others.  This does not mean just being loving and kind to your family and friends but also to those whom you might not know and even those you don’t like. Those who are ready to forgive the offense of others, shall be forgiven. The merciful tastes the forgiveness of sins and innumerable blessings of this life.
      • This invites us to always exercise mercy as the hallmark of our Christian vocation in the way we relate with ourselves, with our family and friends and enemies. This calls us more when we are ask to show mercy to those who have offended us or who have sinned against us.
    6. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  Being pure is like having a clean heart.  Like the heart inside of us, it pumps blood and keeps us alive and if something is wrong with our heart, we won’t work right.  Jesus is talking about the place where we think and make decisions, why we do things, and our thoughts.  If we keep our mind, thoughts and decisions full of good, God says we’ll understand Him more as we see Him better in all things and in every people we meet. This is a call for sincerity in our words, deeds and piety.
      • This invites us now to examine our intentions and motivations. What is really in my heart now? What is it that keeps me going? Or what is it that prevents me from accepting myself fully and welcoming God in my life? Or what is it that keeps me bothering now, which disturbs me a lot? Hopefully, in treating those questions, they too will lead us in purifying our intentions so that we too shall see God clearly, ever working in our lives.
    7. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  The simplest way to explain this is someone who makes peace.  Helping others to get along would be a big part of it.  The second part of this beatitude says: then you will be called the children of God.  Being God’s child would mean that you truly are a part of God’s family and that you’re starting to be more like Him; just like when we are with our parents. This is an assurance that God is indeed our Father for God is a God of peace.
      • This invites us too to seek peace in our hearts and minds, peace in ourselves. If we do not have peace, then, how can we become peacemakers? What we can only give is that something we have at present. Thus, seek peace, let God give you that peace so that in return then, you too will be able to make peace with others and inspire others for peace.
    8. Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  God knows that being who He wants us to be is not the way the world acts.  By doing the opposite of the world we will be made fun of or worst, because people don’t understand why we don’t do things only for ourselves.  By living a life that does things for others confuses the way the world thinks.  A lot of people in the world want beauty, money, fame and attention and don’t care about others as long as they get what they want.  This is opposite to the life God wants us to lead.  Doing the right thing isn’t easy but God wants us to know that the kingdom of heaven is waiting for us if we can get through the tough times in this life.
      • It invites us now to always seek God’s desire for us, God’s desire for me. God’s desire may not be popular. God’s desire for us may be different from what others desire for us or from our own desire. Always seek that and be ready to let go of other desires because it is in following God’s desire that we shall also find the fulfillment. But remember this, in seeking and following God’s desire, others may not like it or we may not like it too, we might be facing oppositions from our friends and family and even our very selves. 

    God calls us to be different than the rest of the world.

    The beatitudes end by saying that we should rejoice and be glad because by following these we will receive great treasures in heaven.

    God promises that we will be blessed when we follow these teachings but it won’t be easy.  We all are still figuring out how to do these things, but don’t be discouraged.  God calls us to be different than the rest of the world.

    Keep in mind that the beatitudes are impossible to do without God’s help.  He wants to help us and to become a big part of decisions you make and in all that you do. Give to God, then, that opportunity to work in you and through you.

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    Remember, Jesus didn’t give us these beatitudes and then wants us to fail.  He wants to give us something to aim for.  He wants us to do our best and give us a life full of blessings not just for tomorrow in heaven but even today.

    For a deeper reflection, let this contemporary interpretation on the Beatitudes challenge and lead us closer to the Lord.

    Jesus’ Beatitudes Today

    1. Blessed are you who recognize your need of God because you will give yourself to the providence of God’s love to direct your life.
    2. Blessed are you who feels sorrow for your sins against God and your brothers and sisters and to repent, because you will find true comfort from God’s loving forgiveness.
    3. Blessed are you who choose not to live by your selfish tendencies but will give yourself to God because you will find and have the important things in your life.
    4. Blessed are you when you truly desire to please God and not others or yourself alone because that deepest desire of yours will be fulfilled.
    5. Blessed are you who love, care, serve others, heal the wounded and comfort the sorrowful because you too will surely be shown mercy.
    6. Blessed are you as you dedicate your life sincerely in doing the will of God because in that pursuit you will have a deeper understanding of being God’s beloved.
    7. Blessed are you who strive to promote peace and reconciliation because you yourself will become a witness and instrument of God.
    8. Blessed are you when you stand for what is right, just and true even in the midst of accusations, insults and persecutions because you will have an everlasting joy with God.

    Jom Baring, CSsR