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A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Zephaniah
Zep2:3; 3:12-13
This reading from Zephaniah leads up to the theme of the Gospel, Jesus' sermon on the mount. In Judah, "a nation without shame" there is a remnant of faithful servants of Yahweh. They are called "the remnant of Israel."
In this remnant, the prophet addresses all of us: "All you humble of the earth, who have observed his law. " Humility is a Christian virtue and a condition to be considered "blessed," as explained in the Gospel.
The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him
in your self-giving. He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord hears the cry of the poor!
A Reading, From the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
1 Cor1:26-31
Paul addresses the slaves and "longshoreman" of Corinth: "God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise." Christ's special concern for the deprived implies a lesson for those who are going by the wisdom of this world, which is pride. Paul stresses: ' It is due to [God] that you are in Christ Jesus. "
See yourself as related to God in a sacred partnership (covenant) and then there will be no boasting before God.
In the Gospel of Matthew
Mt 5:1-12a
As mentioned earlier Matthew was a Jew, writing for Christians of Jewish background. He compares Jesus often with the great lawmaker, Moses, with whom all Jews were familiar. In this Bible passage, Matthew states indirectly: Moses announced the laws from Mount Sinai. Jesus, greater than Moses, does the same on "the Mountain."
Notice that Luke has the Lord preach this sermon on the plain. Actually, Matthew combines various sayings of Jesus and has the Lord proclaim them in what is known now as the Sermon on the Mount. The beatitudes are ideals which we should pursue constantly, though humbly admitting that it is not easy to do so!
Newsy Notes
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Deacon Bob Brazier, CRE
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REMEMBER
1STCOMMUNION
We will be having our 1st Communion meeting with the parents of the 2nd grade class on Sunday February 5th at 11:15 in the Parish Dining Hall. There will be information given at this meeting on what we will be doing for your child's 1st Communion.
"CONFIRMATION"
We will be having a 7th grade class confirmation meeting with
the Parents and material will be given to you that evening on what we will be doing for the following year of confirmation, Thursday January 26th at 6:30pm in the Faith Formation Room. Hope to see all of you there!
"Remember"
Our next 8th Grade Confirmation Class will be held in Faith Formation Room at 11:15 on March 19th
Address future PSR and Sacramental Preparation Questions to:
Deacon Bob Brazier at bbrazier@sttm.org
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