“Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold your reward will be great in heaven.” (Luke 6:23)
These words of hope at the completion of the Sermon on the Plain, by Jesus in the flesh, according to Luke’s gospel, should calm our anxieties. That is, if we are living out the gospel message in our everyday encounters with these proper “be” attitudes. It should shake us up a little if we are the opposite of these attitudes, or if we are one of the “woe” people described by Jesus. To make that turn around requires some effort, but with God’s help, we can accomplish it. Most of us, I suppose, have qualities that are both “be” and “woe”. In an examination of conscience, where are you “be” and where are you “woe”?
For me, when I “fill up” on watching non-stop sports, I am never satisfied, because I am just a “receiver”, but rather when I “fill up” with sharing music, or with taking time for people I love, I become a “giver”, a “listener”. In turn, I become the “receiver” of their appreciation.
The third verse and refrain of “Be Not Afraid” by Bob Dufford will reinforce the gospel message this weekend and will be sung as the communion procession is winding down.
Here is the rest of the music used at the majority of Masses this weekend. https://bit.ly/3IW3D40 February 12 and 13