Jesus becomes poor so that we may be rich, full of the goods of the kingdom of heaven. 

It is the folks that Jesus calls happy or blessed and not their tough situations.  Hence, we can say that he does not want us to be full of pain and suffering.

In fact, he goes about to teach, preach, the Good News that will put an end to pain and suffering.  He also does good as he helps those who suffer and cures the sick.

Besides, each time he calls folks fortunate, he also announces the end of pain and suffering:  to the poor belongs the kingdom of heaven; comfort awaits those who mourn; the meek will be heirs; those who hunger and thirst for justice will have their fill; those who show mercy will, in turn, get it; the clean of heart will see God; those who work for peace will receive the recognition that they are God’s children; to the unjustly persecuted belongs, too, the kingdom of heaven; those who suffer insults, persecutions and calumnies because of Jesus will have their great reward.

Hence, we cannot appeal to his proclamations of bliss to ease our consciences in the face of injustices.  To shut up the still small voice that whispers, “Not to feel for others’ pain and suffering is not to be human” (SV.EN XII:222).  No, we cannot use his proclamations to see no wrong when the full of power lord it over the weak.

The Sermon on the Mount calls us rather to Jesus’ lifestyle of communion with the poor, with those who suffer.  He thus wants for us a wholly new way of life that we turn the world upside down.  For only this way of life can get rid of all selfishness and greed that cannot but ruin us.

Lord Jesus, let us be empty of all things—of boasting, of course—and give up, too, our bodies and shed our blood.  We can thus be full of the goods of the kingdom of heaven.  And have, besides, all the other things we need to live.  Teach us also to trust the Father, so that we do not follow with envy those who are full of power and wealth. 

1 February 2026
4th Sunday in O.T. (A)
Zeph 2, 3; 3, 12-13; 1 Cor 1, 26-31; Mt 5, 1-12a