＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

2 Corinthians 1:1-7

 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus

By the will of God, And Timothy, our brother, to the church of God in Corinth, and to all the saints in the whole of Achaia. May you receive grace and peace from God our Father and from Christ Jesus, the Lord.

 Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus, our Lord, the all-merciful Father and the God of all comfort! He encourages us in all our trials, so that we may also encourage those in any trial, with the same comfort that we receive from God.

 For whenever the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so, through Christ, a great comfort also overflows. So, if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we receive comfort it is also for you. You may experience the same com­fort when you come to endure the same sufferings we endure. Our hope for you is most firm; just as you share in our sufferings, so shall you also share in our consolation.

 

Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Matthew 5:1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:  Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted.

 Fortunate are the gentle, they shall pos­sess the land.  Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.  Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy. Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God.

 Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God.  Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers.  Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you.

  

 Gospel Reflection：

 The Sermon on the Mount is rather strange with a contrasting mix that might alert us to the real import of the Beatitudes. First Jesus went up the mountain. Then He is teaching His disciples and the people who are listening that the way to greatness is to go down, to humble oneself, and not to lose hope amidst persecution.

Those who cling onto His teachings are not weak. They're strong to the point of violence has no power over them. This is not a Navien easy comfortable life, but the chance to give witness to the power of love amidst the fish Christmas surrounding them.