From Your Pastor

Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time: The Beatitudes of today’s Gospel announce God’s pleasure and relationship to the poor, hungry, sorrowful and the needy. The word “blessed” first meant that someone is fortunate because he or she is the recipient of divine favor. Blessedness is a matter of keeping our eyes on Jesus. Most of us do not have enough time, money or energy to do all that we would like to do. How do we keep our eyes on Jesus; and how do we react to our neediness? The Beatitudes wake us up to the fact that our possessions, our gifts and talents are to be put to the service of others. Success is good; but people are more important. What do we do with the ways that God has blessed us? Have you nourished and encouraged your dreams or the dreams of someone else today or even lately? With the readings of this day and the coming of Lent, this is a good time to ask such questions.