First Reading: (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12–13)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 146:6–10)
Response: “The Lord keeps faith forever.”
Second Reading: (1 Corinthians 1:26–31)
Alleluia: (Matthew 5:12)
Gospel: (Matthew 5:1–12a)
Reflection
I made it to the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Mary’s Church at Yale University. It was wonderful, as I was seated right in front, taking in everything. The homily was broad and very dynamic, and I was able to walk away with a few points to share and ponder for the day. Happy February 1st, by the way.
The priest started the homily by talking about how he never gets the chance to be at that parish anymore and joked about age discrimination, because he is the oldest one in the system.
Then we went on to talk about the Beatitudes: love of God vs. love of God’s benefits. Drawing from a question once posed by Bishop Robert Barron, whom I also listen to online, he challenged listeners to examine whether their faith is rooted in genuine love of God or in the material and emotional benefits they receive from Him. True love of God must remain even when blessings, comfort, or success are taken away (see Job, Abraham).
First Reading (Zephaniah) applied: Israel mistook prosperity as proof of God’s favor, and we all do that today. When something bad happen happens and unsettles us, we question God. Material comfort led to spiritual complacency and forgetfulness of God. Exile became the painful path through which trust in God was restored for the Israelites back in the day. In our world today, many of us are blessed with more than our fathers and great-grandfathers. I can testify to that in terms of material things, and yet most of us are very unhappy in this life. That tells us that materialism is not the way for us, but the love of God is His way for us.
False ideas of happiness: society teaches conditional happiness, “I will be happy when I have that girl, that car, the house, and that bank account.” This mindset always focuses on what is lacking rather than what truly with us and fulfills. Earthly happiness is temporary and incomplete.
Beatitudes as the cost of discipleship: Jesus defines blessedness in ways that contradict human logic, poverty of spirit, meekness, persecution. Following God may require sacrificing wealth, power, status, and even reputation. Being faithful often comes at a real cost.
This world is not our final home. Earthly possessions, success, and comfort are temporary and should be used as a vehicle to our final destination after this place. Humans are created for heaven and for happiness, not permanent satisfaction here. They priest confessed that he usually doesn't think much about paradise but should. We might think the life we have here in this world is good and comforting but it's not, he added. Look at the sufferings we see around us, poverty, homelessness, disease, wars etc.
He added that, restlessness in life despite some successes is a sign of our longing for God (St. Augustine: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”)
It was a wonderful Mass, and I hope you get something from it.
God bless you.
Pal Ronnie
