Jesus , Our Encouragement

Greetings on this the Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Cor 1:1-7; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Mt 5:1-12
Notes: Our continuous readings last week included the Book of Tobit and the story of G-d’s care for Tobit and the family.

It was a marvelous and personal look at the Lord helping us in relation to one another.
Hidden in plain sight in the person (angel) Raphael, the angel at the end reveals the consistent and full attention of the Lord upon those who seek his aid.

The continuous reading sequence this week goes deeper.

Paul, in our first reading of 2 Corinthians, uses the word encourage (encouragement) ten times in the opening alone!
Jesus is Our Encouragement. Our afflictions useful to help us trust and rely upon the Lord.

Our Psalm today, Psalm 34 is a wonderful and rich account of the Lord’s presence. It is a favorite of the Church and my personal favorite.

Psalm 34, A Psalm of thanksgiving.
(my fav v 19 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed).

The Lord:

• Answers.
• Delivers.
• Hears.
• Encamps around us.
• Saves us.
• Taste and See.
• All good.
• His eyes See.
• His ears hear.
• He is against evil doers.
• He is close.
• He saves.
• He delivers (again).
• He watches over.
• He redeems.
• He is our refuge.

Gospel portion the Beatitudes.

Each Beatitude starts with Blessed.

It is a blessed life to live in right relation.
Being a blessing is acting in imitation of G-d.

First Reading
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction.

Responsorial
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Glorify the LORD with me, let us together extol his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Gospel Acclamation
Rejoice and be glad; for your reward will be great in heaven.

Gospel
Blessed are…

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry