First Reading | 2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Consistency in the commitment to the Gospel must have been a challenge for the Corinthian community. In today’s reading, Paul encouraged the people to be single-minded in responding to the grace of the Gospel. We cannot be lukewarm in our response to the call to holiness and service to the Gospel. Let us pray for the grace to set our minds and hearts on the Kingdom of God and follow His will.
1 Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the Church of God that is in Corinth, with all the holy ones throughout Achaia: 2 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, 4 who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. 5 For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
R: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
2 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. 3 Let my soul glory in the Lord; the lowly will hear me and be glad. (R) 4 Glorify the Lord with me, let us together extol his name. 5 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (R) 6 Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. 7 When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. (R) 8 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 9 Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. (R)
Gospel | Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes speak to us about character traits that we need to become more like Jesus. However, these are not absolute nor are they the Law. These humanize the Law and put flesh to stark rules and regulations. The Beatitudes enable us to personalize the Law for our situation, and thus guide us to know right from wrong.
Gospel Acclamation
Rejoice and be glad; for your reward will be great in heaven.
1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 He began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. 6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
