Father Tim's Homily: How do you spell LOVE?

Father Tim Sherwood's homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, delivered on Sunday, February 3, 2019, at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Video by T. Allan Smith. Audio by Jeff Keller. Theme music: Deliberate Thoughts by Kevin MacLeod.

Deacon Jim's Homily: Teaching from the heart

Deacon Jim Grevenites' homily for the Feast of the Holy Family at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, delivered on December 31, 2017. Audio by Jeff Keller. Still images by T. Allan Smith.

Father Tim's Homily: You are the one chosen by God

Father Tim Sherwood's homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, delivered on Sunday, January 31, 2016. Video by T. Allan Smith. Additional video by Jane Winstead and Niki Smith. Theme music: Deliberate Thoughts by Kevin MacLeod.

Father Tim's Homily: Imitate the Master Teacher

Father Tim Sherwood's homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time at St. Raphael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Video by T. Allan Smith. Additional video by Jane Winstead. Audio by Jeff Keller. Theme music: Deliberate Thoughts by Kevin MacLeod

The Blessed Path

The Sermon on the Mount, Cosimo Rosselli. Cappella Sistina, Vatican

By Dr. Scott Hahn

In the readings since Christmas, Jesus has been revealed as the new royal son of David and Son of God. He is sent to lead a new exodus that brings Israel out of captivity to the nations and brings all the nations to God.

As Moses led Israel from Egypt through the sea to give them God’s law on Mount Sinai, Jesus too has passed through the waters in baptism. Now, in Sunday’s Gospel, He goes to the mountain to proclaim a new law – the law of His Kingdom.

The Beatitudes mark the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to Abraham – that through his descendants all the nations of the world would receive God’s blessings (see Genesis 12:3; 22:18).

Jesus is the son of Abraham (see Matthew 1:1). And through the wisdom He speaks today, He bestows the Father’s blessings upon “the poor in spirit.”

God has chosen to bless the weak and lowly, those foolish and despised in the eyes of the world, Paul says in Sunday’s Epistle. The poor in spirit are those who know that nothing they do can merit God’s mercy and grace. These are the humble remnant in Sunday’s First Reading – taught to seek refuge in the name of the Lord.

The Beatitudes reveal the divine path and purpose for our lives. All our striving should be for these virtues – to be poor in spirit; meek and clean of heart; merciful and makers of peace; seekers of the righteousness that comes from living by the law of Kingdom.

The path the Lord sets before us is one of trials and persecution. But He promises comfort in our mourning and a great reward.

The Kingdom we have inherited is no earthly territory, but the promised land of heaven. It is Zion where the Lord reigns forever. And, as we sing in Sunday’s Psalm, its blessings are for those whose hope is in the Lord.

Dr. Scott Hahn is professor of theology at Franciscan University at Steubenville, Ohio. He was formerly a Presbyterian minister who converted to Catholicism in 1986. You can spend the day with Dr. Hahn on January 29 at Light of Christ Catholic Church in Clearwater. Lighthouse Catholic Media has many of his talks on CD or for download.

The Gospel this Sunday

January 30, 2011
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 5:1-12a

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.”

• Read the first and second readings and the Responsorial Psalm
– United States Conference of Catholic Bishops