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October 22, 2020 | Fr. Michael Brunner O.S.B.
A few years ago, after officiating at a wedding, I flew back to St. Louis from Denver on Southwest Airlines. Fortunately I printed my boarding pass the night before. I say fortunately, because the Southwest Airlines computer system went down the day of my flight. There was a lot of chaos and anguish at the airport among the passengers, but I was exceedingly impressed by how the Southwest employees handled themselves and the situation. They were cheerful, polite, sympathetic, reassuring; they did their best and were obviously well trained. They obviously cared about their customers as people. It made me think: what do we care about ?A Reading from the Gospel of St Matthew (Chapter 5)
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. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
The Gospel of the Lord