By Anthony Jayaraj csc –
Readings: 1 Kgs 17: 1-6; Mt 5:1-12
Jesus speaks about beatitudes in today’s gospel. As I was reflecting over this gospel passage, I was taken up by the phrase ‘Blessed are you.’ What is Jesus trying to tell me through this phrase? Is Jesus telling me that I am blessed or is he telling me how to be blessed? I realized that he is inviting me to be ‘Blessed’.
How can I be ‘Blessed’? I need not do any great thing to be blessed. It depends on how I do what I do. Today people suffer in different ways because of sickness, and to protect them they need to stay at home because of the Corona virus. Many of our citizens struggle for their daily food as they depend on daily wages during this time of crisis. We too find some NGOs, and other social groups trying to help people giving them food and necessary things.
Doctors are trying to find a cure for this sickness giving their time and energy. And it is they who are ‘Blessed’. It is rising to the needs of the time and the situation that makes people ‘Blessed’. Each one of us needs to ask oneself, ‘did I help anyone during this time of suffering and crisis?’ And today this is what Jesus expects from each of us. Can I show up and step out to help the needy?