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Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle
Reading 1 Acts 11:21b-26; 12:1-3
Responsorial Psalm Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
Gospel Mt 5:1-12
S
UMMARY
This Gospel is where the beatitudes are given to us. ˈBlessed are ˎˉ
R
EFLECTION
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 they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
One of my best memories is of Christmas. The house warm and safe. The tree
trimmed with Aluminum tinsel, bright bulbs, and glass ornaments. Foil-paper
wrapped presents. My mother wrapping Christmas gifts and writing stacks of
Christmas Cards to be mailed from our dining room table. Those delicious smells
coming from that tiny kitchen, the thought and care of each plate, glass, piece of
silverware placed on our Christmas table. No detail missed. It was my Mom˅s fa-
vorite time of the year. Wanting to go to sleep before the sun set, knowing that
Christmas morning would bring surprises and family. I guess you could say that
is my interpretation of comfort. I miss those times; I miss my Mom. She was
welcomed into the loving embrace of Christ 8 years ago, having struggled with
Ovarian Cancer for almost a year. We watched as little by little she declined, De-
mentia taking hold, day by day, her memory of time, family and the past slipped
away. I would sit with her and we˅d just be, she didn˅t know who I was or where
she was, but she knew she was safe, which was good enough for me.
Being apart of Holy Family Bereavement Ministry has taught me that we will find
comfort in the passing of a loved one. With the support and compassion of fel-
lowship, in the sharing of tears, pain and grief, the sharing of memories and
struggles, we find that we are not alone. Our Creator has instilled in all of us the
strength to endure anything, also instilling the gift of empathy which he shared