June 8, 2009 Gospel

DAILY GOSPEL
«Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.» John 6,68


Monday, 08 June 2009
Monday of the Tenth week in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates : St. Medard, Bishop (c.457_545)

See commentary below or click here
Saint Augustine : "Learn from me"


Second Letter to the Corinthians 1:1-7.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the holy ones throughout Achaia: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.

Psalms 34(33):2-3.4-5.6-7.8-9.

I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.
Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.
In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.
The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.
Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.


Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5:1-12.

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Commentary of the day :

LEARNINGS:

What does it mean to follow if not to imitate? The proof of this is that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in his footsteps (1Pt 2,21).

Blessed are the poor in spirit.
So imitate him who for your sake became poor although he was rich (2Cor 8,9).

Blessed are the meek.
Imitate him who said: learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart (2Cor 8,9).

Blessed are they who mourn.
Imitate him who will weep over Jerusalem (Lk 19,41).

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness.
Imitate him who said: my food is to do the will of the one who sent me (Jn 4,34).

Blessed are the merciful.
Imitate him who came to the help of the man who had been wounded by robbers and lay half-dead and despairing on the ground (Lk 10,33).

Blessed are the clean in heart.
Imitate him who committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth (1Pt 2,22).

Blessed are the peacemakers.
Imitate him who prayed on behalf of his persecutors: Father, forgive them, they know not what they do (Lk 23,34).

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.
Imitate him who suffered for you , leaving you an example that you might follow in his footsteps.

O good Jesus, I see you with the eyes of faith you have opened within me. I see you calling out and saying, as though berating humankind: «Come to me and place yourselves in my school.»