Today, 30th of July, we celebrate
Saint Peter Chrysologus
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
God encourages us that we ourselves may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction.
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Timothy our brother,
to the Church of God that is at Corinth,
with all the holy ones throughout Achaia:
grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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
with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.
For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us,
so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.
If we are afflicted,
it is for your encouragement and salvation;
if we are encouraged,
it is for your encouragement,
which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
Our hope for you is firm,
for we know that as you share in the sufferings,
you also share in the encouragement.
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
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.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the Lord heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the Lord is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Matthew 5:1-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“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.”
Today we hear the Beatitudes. Yes, with a capital B, because this is a truly amazing passage—no matter how you look at it. For many people, it opens up a whole new way of seeing things: the Gospel, Jesus himself, clearly chooses to stand with the poor, the suffering, the hungry, those who cry, and the gentle.
But others might feel that the Beatitudes are the biggest lie of all. Because let’s be honest—those who are poor, or suffering, or mourning, or humble don’t usually seem “blessed.” The truth is, they often get the worst seat at life’s table, and it doesn’t look like their situation will change anytime soon.
To be honest, the Beatitudes are not easy to understand. But they are a key part of the Gospel. It’s like Jesus is giving his first major speech—his mission statement—where he lays out the heart of his message. Kind of like when a new president or leader starts their term by explaining their vision and goals.
If we read the Beatitudes as the center of the Gospel, they become much clearer. What we see is that God wants to turn this world upside down. The Kingdom of God is not just a nicer version of today’s systems and powers—it’s the exact opposite. In God’s Kingdom, the ones who come first are the poor, the ones who suffer, those who mourn…
In other words: the people who are last in today’s world are first for God. And it’s not just that we’re supposed to help them or care for them out of kindness or charity. It’s much deeper than that—they are the first. And we, as a result, come second.
It’s hard to wrap our heads around this. And that’s okay. It’s a total reversal. It’s flipping the world upside down. Turning the tables. It’s the most real and radical revolution there is. And, in the end, it’s the only way the Kingdom can truly be for everyone—including us.
Fernando Torres, cmf
