† Readings for Sunday January 30th 2011

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Beatitudes

The “Beatitudes “are so named because in the Latin translation each of the eight statements begins with the word “beatus” Such blessings were common in the Old Testament and Jesus uses them to explain what characteristics are to be found in every child of God.
Rate yourself from 1 (very low) to 4 (very high) on each of the following qualities of the Beatitudes:

Poor in Spirit: I recognize my spiritual bankruptcy and my need for God. Because my relationship with God depends on his grace, I know I’m incapable of earning God’s love on my own. ______

Mourn: I feel the pain that sin, including my own, causes. I can let others know when I am hurting without embarrassment. I can weep like Jesus did. ______

Meek: I don’t have to be the strong one who is always in control. I can be tender and gentle. I’ve given control of my life to God and I don’t always have to win. ______

Spiritual hunger: I want to know God and his will for my life more than anything—including my own pleasures, status or success. My heart truly longs for God. ______

Merciful: I can share the feelings of people who are hurting, lonely or distressed, and walk alongside them in their pain. God has given me a sensitivity for the suffering of others and a
compassion to help them. ______

Pure in Heart: I am completely honest with God and others. I don’t have to put on a false front or pretend to be something I’m not. My life is marked with openness and integrity. ______

Peacemaker: I work hard to keep channels of communication open with others. Rather than allowing anger and conflict to fester. I deal with them constructively. I help those around me work out their differences without hurting one another. ______

Persecution: I know for whom and for what I am living. And for this I am willing to suffer and (if need be) stand alone for what is right. I can take criticism without reacting defensively or feeling self-pity. ______

Share your score with your family or close friends and see how you can raise your score and increase your quality of life.

Enjoy the readings- pass them on- IHN tommyk †

Reading 1 Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility;perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.

3:12 But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: 13 the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies;nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.

Questions for discussion:

1. How will you live out the call to be spiritually poor, free of material goods beyond what is necessary to this?

2. What hope does God offer to any who gather together contritely before him (vv 1-3)?


Reading 2 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards,not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, 28 and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, 29 so that no human being might boast before God. 30 It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”

Questions for discussion:

1. What pictures come to mind when you think of powerful, successful people? How do these images sometimes conflict with knowing Christ?

2. How do people today confuse the world’s power with God’s power? How does that affect you?

3. What do you think Paul means when he says that the foolish and lowly things will shame the wise and strong? How does your own life reflect this principle?

Gospel † Matthew 5:1-12a

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.

12a Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. How do these promised blessings compare with what most people in the world prize?

2. Would “the Blessed” be admired in your society? Why or why not?

3. Of these eight qualities (Beatitudes) which two do you desire most in your life? Why?

4. Which of these qualities are you most tempted to avoid?