Saturday February 3, 2024
Theme: “Be happy”
Text: Matthew 5:7-12
7. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy! 8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! 11. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely because of me. 12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; for thus the prophets who were before you were persecuted.
Let's remember:
We have several categories of people who are happy because they accomplish God's will. Let us take the example of the merciful who are happy because they have mercy, compassion; they forgive easily. A merciful person likes to advise people, he likes to teach those who are ignorant; he rebukes sinners; he comforts the afflicted; he forgives offenses; he patiently tolerates annoying people; he prays to God to take care of his neighbor. He gives food to the hungry; he gives drink to those who are thirsty; he clothes the naked; it welcomes the homeless; he assists the sick; he visits the prisoners; he buries the dead. Because of their actions, the merciful will receive mercy in return. Besides the merciful, there are also those who are pure in heart and happy. Yes they are happy because they will see God. Let's work on having a pure heart if we want to be happy and see God. We are also happy if we are among those who bring peace, because we will be called sons of God. Even those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness are not excluded from the list of those who are happy, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Far from grieving, let us be happy when people insult us, persecute us, and say all kinds of evil falsely about us, for God's sake. Let us be happy, let us be glad, because our reward will be great in heaven; for thus the prophets who were before us were persecuted. Let us clarify that it is those who are persecuted for God who are happy and not those who are persecuted for their own misconduct. Excellent Saturday. Amen
Alain Louz.-