Dear brothers and Sisters with the celebration of Pentecost yesterday we have come to a close of the 50 days of celebration of the the Easter glorification and Acension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the first reading of today from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, the Apostle encourages the people of God in Corinth. Explaining to them that if they share in the sorrows and sufferings of God as Christ himself and Paul did, they will also share in the consolation that it offers when the due time comes.
In a world ravaged with peripherals and material aggrandizement and excitements, preaching and defending the word may be and can be hard in some ways and may incure sufferings and sorrows, but as Paul encourages the Corinthians, we too should take a leap from that inspiration to stand firm against all these obstacles of the world when it comes with the beautiful hope that the consolation that our reward will come.
The psalmist acclaims to our notice that nothing is better than being with the Lord by calling us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
The beatitudes in the GOSPEL of Matthew today butrresses the points of the readings and summarizes all. Whoever is blessed is happy, so whether the translation is blessed or happy, Jesus makes us know that there is a reward for a good job or sacrifice. It could be the good work of gentleness, being merciful or being a peacemaker there is a reward. Even when you are poor in spirit, mourn or persecuted or abused with all kinds of calumny, we should all be strong because our reward is great in heaven.
This should be our hope and stronghold as we continue to preach and vouch for the gospel.
Peace be with you all
Fr. Joachim Uzochukwu C.S.Sp
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