The Beatitudes: A Radical Change of Perspective
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January 30, 2026The Beatitudes in our Gospel today from Matthewinvites to step into one of the most profoundteachings Jesus ever offered, always challengingus in our faith life journey. The Beatitudes serveas an introduction to His Sermon on the Mountspeaking directly to our hearts that yearn formeaning, hope, and a deeper relationship withGod.
The word “blessed” is repeated several times asa reminder that contrary to what we usually believed in which blessing meant prosperity, comfort, or social standing, Jesus’ blessings are not reserved for the powerful or people who are known, but for those who, according to our own human perspective are least: the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, and the persecuted.
This is a radical change of perspective. We are invited to strive for a way of living that draws strength directly from God’s grace instead of social status or security or even material wealth.He assures us that God is closest to those who find themselves lacking, grieving, or yearning for justice for the sake of the Kingdom. TheBeatitude describes an attitude that allows theKingdom of God to break into our lives and slowly molding us according to his ways. The poor inspirit is a recognition of our deepest need of God, those who carry the heaviness of broken life finds comfort in God, those who know how to choose gentleness over force find the inheritance fromGod, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will have divine satisfaction, those with sincere hearts will come face to face with God.This is how the Kingdom of God works and it invites us to honestly look deep into our hearts:what do I value in my life – power, pride, possession? Or do I work quietly for the virtues of God’sKingdom?
The values that the Beatitudes want us to live out can be transmitted to what we can do in our parish community. This weekend, we start to share again our blessings to the needy by helping and supporting our Diocesan Development Fund(DDF). Last year, we were able to surpass the goal which the Diocese has set, we received more than what we have expected and so the over-goal will be given back to our parish to support our programs and activities that deepen our mission in response to the Gospel invitation.We dare to follow Christ, even when the path is difficult. We do our best to embrace the blessingsJesus speaks in the Beatitudes, and may we, in turn, become a blessing to our community, embodying the love, generosity, and peace ofChrist to one another.