1 November 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections

NOTE: Please click the Subscribe key on YouTube and press the black notification bell to receive the daily reflections. Or, open in YouTube for easy access. View and Like. Thank you. TOPIC: IN THE POVERTY OF YOUR SPIRIT, DOES THE BEATITUDES GIVE YOU COMFORT? First Reading: Revelation 7: 2-4, 9-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 Second Reading: First John 3: 1-3 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 28 Gospel: Matthew 5: 1-12a In today's Gospel reading, we are presented with the Beatitudes, and we realize that Jesus lived every one of the ‘blesseds’. He is merciful, pure in heart and a peacemaker. What the world sees as tragic or empty, Jesus sees as blessed. He could encourage us to live in the spirit of the Beatitudes because He himself lived that life. Jesus can speak such words because he is presenting the perspective of God by applying the presence of the Kingdom of Heaven in the poor and persecuted. The kingdom that Jesus proclaims permeates the situation of the unfortunate and transforms it. While those who oppress God’s people may be fortunate for a moment, they who trust the Lord will be fortunate forever. Jesus calls upon His followers to the same radical commitment and hope.     This is the 1286th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings. [NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Raymond Bucu, Head of Gateway Evangelization, as he brings us today's reflection. All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS] #OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist