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Blessed in Suffering

30/1/2026

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew
5.1-12

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the Prophets who were before you.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

As usual, the world is in the middle of what the news keeps saying is unprecedented times. War. Cruelty. Sickness. Disasters. All of the talking heads and panicked TikTok influencers want us to catch the panic bug. They want us to turn our eyes and focus on the terror around us. The cynical part of me knows that the rising tone of panic in every report on the state of the world is designed to fill my eyes and ears and get me to stop and listen. To give them my attention, my views, my clicks.

Please don’t think that I’m downplaying the state of the world these days. If even a quarter of the panic-inducing information we’re being constantly bombarded with is true, we’re living through dark times. But these times aren’t unprecedented. The biggest thing that’s happened is that we’ve become better at sharing what we know. For millennia, war, occupations, sickness, and death have plagued humanity. Our suffering in this time isn’t new. As Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “There’s nothing new under the sun.”

Things weren’t terribly different during Christ’s earthly ministry. Israel at the time of Christ was under Roman occupation. And for the Jewish people, this wasn’t exactly their first rodeo with being a people under oppression. The Romans were just the latest in a long time of occupiers. People are suffering from illnesses without any cure but a miracle. Suffering and sickness aren’t exactly new things. In the Middle Ages, the Black Plague took the lives of upwards of two-thirds of the population of Europe.

While our suffering isn’t new, God’s “mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). The words of the Beatitudes in this Sunday’s Gospel remind us of that mercy. That our suffering can be an opportunity for blessing. That our littleness in the face of the magnitude of hurt and harm of the world isn’t an obstacle, but a strength when we put it in God’s hands.

We can see in the example of the saints how other people who were told “blessed are you” responded to the same types of suffering and evil in the world. We can see how they loved. How they spoke up. How they sought peace. How they accepted persecution. How they focused not on the panic, but on the opportunity to serve. How they kept their eyes on Jesus when they were reviled. They lived the Beatitudes in times good and bad, precedented and unprecedented.

Heavenly Father, please send me the courage to live out the call of the Beatitudes. Plant in my heart the grace to see the blessings and opportunities in my hunger and thirst for righteousness and the trust to know that You will make all things for good. Amen.

Stéphanie Potter

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God’s Calling

29/1/2026

6 Comments

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Corinthians
1.26-31

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.

God is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

In the second reading for this Sunday, Saint Paul is reminding the people of Corinth that God calls all kinds of people to His mission – including the overlooked, the unwise, and the weak. Phew! What a relief. That certainly takes the pressure off, doesn’t it? It means God can use ordinary people like me, fuelled by the Holy Spirit, to do His will. The problem is, I often struggle to know what His will is for my life.

When you hear the word “calling,” what does it mean to you? Do you think about things like a career, marriage or single life, a certain hobby or talent like music and art? I think about all of these things and, more specifically, I think about what mine could be. Reflecting on the past year with a friend on New Year’s Eve, we asked each other about our highs and lows. My low was that I felt a bit stagnant, like I’ve been in a season of waiting – not quite sure where God is leading me.

The Oxford Dictionary defines a calling as: “a strong urge toward a particular way of life or career; a vocation.” But I prefer what the Merriam-Webster Dictionary says: “a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.” Although I have felt conviction of divine influence, it seems to be on a smaller scale (reach out to check in with this person, sign up for this ministry, etc.) and I think I have this lofty idea that it has to be BIG. Like when I was a little girl and I thought I felt called to move to Africa to take care of the starving children. Now as an adult, I see that moving to Africa may not have been in the cards for me, but I do see how I can feed the hungry (both physically and spiritually) right here in my own community.

A couple of days after New Year’s, during prayer with a couple of dear friends, one of them received something from the Lord that I believe was meant for me. He didn’t know about me feeling stagnant, so I think it surprised him when these words resonated so deeply with me: “God is not done with you yet.” This message has comforted me greatly and given me something to hold on to while I wait.

We may not all be called to research a cure for cancer or to help end world hunger, but we ARE all called to serve Him humbly, to love our neighbours, and to carry His message of salvation to people we encounter. God’s calling on my life may not be BIG, but it doesn’t have to be big to be significant and impactful to those around me. I need to humble myself before Him and trust that I am exactly where He’s called me to be. And I know in my heart that “God is not done with me yet.”

Lisa Matheson

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Who Is In Control Here?

28/1/2026

3 Comments

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm 146

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or
R. Alleluia!

It is the Lord who keeps faith forever, who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or
R. Alleluia!

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind and lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous and watches over the strangers.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or
R. Alleluia!

The Lord upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.

R. Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
or
R. Alleluia!

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Any time I read the verse “Blessed are the poor in spirit” I always google the meaning. There is something in me that refuses to believe I understand these words! So, as I prayed about this reflection on Psalm 146, I considered why I always second-guess my understanding of this phrase.

“Poor in spirit” means I am totally dependent upon God for eternal life. This reality of dependence goes against the worldly idea that I am supposed to be a strong, independent person. The world wants me to believe that being dependent (which should not equate to taking advantage of another) is bad and should be avoided at all cost.

I see this whenever I really need help, when I realize how badly I feel about asking for it. I experience chronic migraines and they impact my ability to do many things, which can be very inconvenient and frustrating. Often I will grudgingly ask one of the other Sisters in my convent to take my turn at cooking supper or I will make plans for something and then cancel at the last minute because of a migraine, and I usually feel terrible about it. This brings on negative feelings of being a failure or incapable. But this is my pride speaking, and I cannot let it be the voice I listen to and follow. In reality, I need to realize that even in my pain and limitations, God is at work; God is loving me and loving my neighbour through me. God is not limited by my limitations.

I am weak; I am a sinner and I have MANY limitations. But holding on to the truth that my salvation is from God, is dependent upon God, and is not mine to control is essential! If I read the rest of this psalm I see the way that God is at work and that I can be an instrument/vessel of His work, but I am not the one who heals; saves; etc. These actions come from the Lord. I am dependent upon Him for salvation, and I need to pray for the grace to remain ever more dependent upon Him.

When I am frustrated because I don’t feel as if I’m in control and independent, I am slowly coming to learn that that’s because I am not created to be in control and independent. I mean, surrendering those things so I gain heaven seems like a small price to pay, right?

Sister Teresa MacDonald

3 Comments

Be Not Afraid

27/1/2026

6 Comments

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Zephaniah
2.3; 3.12-13

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who do his commands;
seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord’s wrath.

For I will leave in the midst of you
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord --
the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrong and utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,
and no one shall make them afraid.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

…and no one shall make them afraid.

What would that be like? To not be afraid? I wouldn’t classify myself as a “scaredy cat.” I can do hard things. But I also have fears. I don’t go down dark allies at night. When I have to make a choice about an action I need to take, I am fearful of what people will think. I don’t like scary movies. My fears can range from the simple to the complex. I assume the same is for you.

I was once given a book titled The Gift of Fear. What I vaguely recall is that it spoke of the idea that humans need fear to keep us alive, to keep us safe. Which in many ways makes sense. Early humans needed this instinct to avoid being eaten or killed by wild animals. Fear can cause you to act in a way that ensures you (and those you love) survive.

The trick is to not be so overwhelmed by fear that you don’t act, or that you don’t over-react. Recognize the fear, acknowledge what’s causing it, but then consider how you will respond. Sometimes this takes seconds, but in other instances there is time. If you take a hike in the woods and come across a dangerous animal – bear, snake, serial killer – instant reaction. Run! But if you are being challenged to take a project in a different direction or work differently, fear of the unknown can creep in and be just as scary, but it is not immediately life-threatening. I don’t remember much else from the book but I do know that for me the antidote to being frozen by fear is the knowledge and trust that God walks with me in all circumstances and makes sure others walk with me also. As the prophet Zephaniah offers, "no one shall make them afraid."

Accompanying a group of young people to World Youth Day 2000 unlocked a whole host of fears. International travel, foreign country, different language, young people who hadn’t ever left Nova Scotia, let alone Canada, before. Who made me responsible for this – and why did I say yes?!? There were many moments on the pilgrimage that were scary. But also profoundly fruitful. Terrifying. Yet, in hindsight, filled with great joy. It was quite a roller coaster of emotions.

But, ultimately, facing my fears in this experience became a key faith and ministry-making moment for me. Because I faced this adventure with others – who most definitely had fears of their own – we were able to walk with one another, help one another, and ultimately bring each other to an encounter with Christ that would ultimately change each of us in our own ways. The Christ who calls us to seek Him. The Christ who transforms our hearts and calls us to witness Him. The Christ who brings us refuge and wipes away all our fears. The Christ who invites us to be not afraid.

Have no fear of entrusting yourselves to him! He will guide you, he will grant you the strength to follow him every day and in every situation.
- Saint John Paul II at Tor Vergata, Rome addressing WYD 2000 pilgrims

Aurea Sadi

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Blessed in Suffering

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, February 1, 2026:​Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

God’s Calling

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, February 1, 2026:​Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Who Is In Control Here?

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, February 1, 2026:​Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Be Not Afraid

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, February 1, 2026:Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Archives

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time