Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

On this midwinter day, cold and snow-covered across much of the continent, the Holy Spirit draws us here together through a shared hunger for a life in the Lord that can overcome the hardships of our lives. Our sensory hunger and physical hunger are joined by a spiritual hunger. We hunger for the word of God to guide us and for the Eucharist to nourish us. Jesus tells us that those who are now hungry will be satisfied. May that comfort us as we hunger for light, for warmth, for guidance, for nourishment, for eternal life in the Lord.
 

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word

Jeremiah explains that those who trust in the LORD will bear fruit like a tree planted beside gentle waters. Paul teaches that because Christ was raised from the dead, we can hope in our own resurrection. Jesus preaches that those who suffer now will be rewarded in time. Listen- ing to God’s word today, let us find hope in the promises of the Lord.
 

Reflections

• Jeremiah paints a beautiful image of a tree by a gentle stream, cool and refreshed no matter the conditions, in describing those who trust in God. Paul echoes that sentiment when he encourages the Corinthians to trust that we will be raised from the dead, to live eternally in the kingdom of God that Jesus promises to the poor in the Gospel.

• Luke repeatedly stresses how important it was for Jesus to speak to the Father, to spend time with him in prayer. The night before teaching the Beatitudes Jesus went up a mountain to pray. That morning he gathered his disciples and chose the twelve whom he called his apostles. After this they all came down the mountain and Jesus preached to them, all his disciples, and crowds from around Judea and even outside of Palestine. His words were directed toward Jews and Gentiles alike. But perhaps the final beatitude, the one which he described at length, was directed especially toward the twelve disciples he had just chosen. He knew that they would face hate and insults and they would be excluded or even denounced. This was a way to assure them that God remained always on their side.

• Just last week we heard Jesus call Peter, James, and John, telling them they would be fishing for other disciples, not for fish. They left everything behind to follow him. Today we hear Jesus make a different kind of call for transforma- tion. Jesus did not want—nor does God want—those who are prosperous and contented to be comfortable and satisfied with their condition. Misery is sure to come to them. Jesus makes it clear that God blesses those who are hurting. We would be wise to transform out of our complacency, for God’s blessings are stronger than whatever we have gained in this world.
 

Question of the Week

What part of my life am I complacent about? How do the Beatitudes call me to change?

-from Pastoral Patterns