Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

When Jesus 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.”
Matthew 5:1-12

Prayer

Dear Father blessed are they who keep to this in their heart and follow you all the days of their lives. Because our reward will be great in heaven he said. Something to look forward to. Not many look at the end our life on earth with the thought of what the next will be, yet Jesus gives us a way. May our lives be in imitation of your Son and in imitation of these loving words where our reward may be a life continually lived in your loving presence. May we be blessed for the work we do rightly for your glorious kingdom. Done in love for you and all that you hold dear. May our lives be enriched by your Holy Word and deed we share with others. Let our day be filled with the Beatitudes of love. Amen