Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 5: 1-12Today's gospel is the Sermon on the Mount from the gospel of Matthew. We are blessed to hear the Beatitudes. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Beatitudes in CCC 1717: "The Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ’s disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints."
There are other beautiful and informative statements about the beatitudes in CCC 1716-1729. Please check them out or visit our "Rationale" Page.