Music Info
Presence
By Comunitá di Bose
Ecco il Signore viene | Comunitá di Bose
Beatitudes
By The Monks of Glenstal Abbey
Vox de Nube | Glenstal Abbey
Script
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Today is Friday, the 12th of July in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time.
Nóirín Ní Riain, with the monks of Glenstal Abbey, sings the Beatitudes.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Not a very enticing prospect for the followers of Jesus – being sent out to be flogged, betrayed, hated and put to death. To paraphrase St Theresa of Avila, “If this is what you promise your friends Lord, then it’s not surprising you have so few! “But notice that the followers are not sent out in order to suffer, but rather it is the way of the world that people who hold firm to the truth, to love, honesty and integrity, will find themselves persecuted. How does this reading make you feel? Be honest, and offer it to God.
We are not called to be naïve and innocent, but rather we are called to understand the ways of the world, and as far as possible, without loosing our integrity, be aware of possible dangers and avoid them. Can you remember a time when you have acted in this way?
Listen again to our reading and look this time for the words and phrases that you find uplifting, comforting.
Ask God for the courage to stand up for your values and what you believe in, and the wisdom to know when this is necessary.