4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
In our reading, God wants the poor to keep God’s commandments, be humble (you are not better or worse than others), treat people with justice, be good, honest. God loves those who are poor and humble. The poor and humble know that God is important, loving, and peaceful. They find their happiness by trusting in God.
In our Gospel, we hear the Beatitudes which are guidelines to make our hearts truly happy when we trust in God. Sometimes, they are confusing to us. They are often the opposite of what we think we need. God wants us to have what we need. If we have more than we need, we are called to share what we have. God wants us to trust him and know he will help us, take care of us, and bless us. Sorrow comes when we don’t trust God and, therefore, live selfishly rather than for others.
Special Saint/Feast Day: St. Maria Soledad Torres-Acosta – January 30th
Vibiana Torres-Acosta was born in Madrid, Spain in 1826. As a child, her mother taught her to love God and his mother Mary. She became aware of poor people and she would visit them when they were sick, and offer prayers and sacrifices for them. When she was 24 years old, Vibiana joined the Congregation of the Sister Servants of Mary which was started by Father Michael Martinez. They helped the poor who could not afford to go to the hospitals when they were sick. She became Sister Maria Soledad. The sisters worked tirelessly to help the victims of a cholera epidemic in 1856. They became well known throughout Spain for their selflessness and courage. When Father Michael had to leave to work in the missions, he named Sister Soledad the superior general. She continued to help with the chores, washing laundry in the river, gathering firewood and cooking simple meals. Sister Soledad died in 1887 from pneumonia. St. Maria Soledad became a great saint by remaining humble and by living a poor and simple life. Sometimes we are tempted to want a lot of things that we really don’t need. We can follow the example of St. Maria and think more of the treasures we will have in heaven.