Christian Art | Jesus Blesses Children
Office Of Readings | Week 23, Monday, Ordinary Time | A Reading From The Sermon Of Pope Saint Leo The Great On The Beatitudes | Great Peace Have Those Who Love Your Law
‘Those who love your law shall have abundant peace.’
In his discussion of the beatitudes, Leo Saint Leo the Great moves from the promise made to the pure of heart (‘they shall see God’) to the blessing of the peacemakers (‘they shall be called sons of God’ Matthew 5:9). He links the two by noting that only a purified heart can receive the vision of God without pain, for the divine light that consoles the pure would be torment for those who cling to sin. The cleansing of the soul, therefore, prepares for both vision and peace.
Leo explains that the peace Christ blesses is not simply outward harmony or human agreement. He contrasts it with covenants of vice or alliances rooted in worldly ambition, which may appear as peace but are opposed to God’s will. True peace comes from obedience to the divine law and from harmony with God’s eternal will. He draws on Scripture to make this point: the Apostle Paul’s command to ‘be at peace before the Lord’ and the psalmist’s affirmation that ‘those who love your law shall enjoy abundant peace’ (Psalm 119[118]:165).
Peace, for Leo, is inseparable from both love of God and love of neighbour. The peacemakers are those who keep God in their hearts, live according to his law, and seek the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (cf. Ephesians 4:3). By praying sincerely, ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,’ they align themselves with the heavenly order, where God’s will is perfectly accomplished.
The reward promised to the peacemakers is adoption as ‘sons of God’ and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This adoption reflects both their present participation in God’s family through faith and their future rest in eternal peace, when trials and temptations are overcome. The eschatological dimension is emphasised: the peacemakers’ present labour in preserving unity and resisting discord will be answered by undisturbed rest in the peace of God.
Leo sets peace within the broader framework of salvation. It is not merely the absence of conflict, but the fruit of purification, obedience, unity, and divine adoption. The Beatitude reveals peace as both a task in this life and a final gift in the life to come.
A Reading From The Sermon Of Pope Saint Leo The Great On The Beatitudes | Great Peace Have Those Who Love Your Law
The blessedness of seeing God is justly promised to the pure of heart. For the eye that is unclean would not be able to see the brightness of the true light, and what would be happiness to clear minds would be a torment to those that are defiled. Therefore, let the mists of worldly vanities be dispelled, and the inner eye be cleansed of all the filth of wickedness, so that the soul’s gaze may feast serenely upon the great vision of God.
It is to the attainment of this goal that the next words refer: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. This blessedness, dearly beloved, does not derive from any casual agreement or from any and every kind of harmony, but it pertains to what the Apostle says: Be at peace before the Lord, and to the words of the prophet: Those who love your law shall enjoy abundant peace; for them it is no stumbling block. Even the most intimate bonds of friendship and the closest affinity of minds cannot truly lay claim to this peace if they are not in agreement with the will of God. Alliances based on evil desires, covenants of crime and pacts of vice – all lie outside the scope of this peace. Love of the world cannot be reconciled with love of God, and the man who does not separate himself from the children of this generation cannot join the company of the sons of God. But those who keep God ever in their hearts, and are anxious to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, never dissent from the eternal law as they speak the prayer of faith. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
These then are the peacemakers; they are bound together in holy harmony and are rightly given the heavenly title of sons of God, co-heirs with Christ. And this is the reward they will receive for their love of God and neighbour: when their struggle with all temptation is finally over, there will be no further adversities to suffer or scandal to fear; but they will rest in the peace of God undisturbed, through our Lord who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
Christian Prayer With Jesus
Lord God,
you promise your peace to those who love your law.
Cleanse our hearts from all that obscures your light,
and make us steadfast in seeking your will.
Grant that we may be true peacemakers,
preserving the unity of your Spirit
and living as your sons and daughters,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Glossary Of Christian Terms
Pure of heart – Those whose inner life is cleansed of sin and focused entirely on God, making them capable of beholding his presence.
Peacemakers – Not simply those who avoid conflict, but those who live in obedience to God’s will, preserve spiritual unity, and reflect divine peace.
Law of God – The eternal will of God revealed in Scripture and fulfilled in Christ, which provides the foundation for true peace.
Unity of the Spirit – A phrase from Ephesians 4:3, referring to the harmony created by the Holy Spirit within the community of believers.
Sons of God – A biblical expression for adoption into God’s family, fulfilled in Christ and shared with believers who live according to his will.
Eschatological peace – The final, undisturbed rest in God that follows the struggles of earthly life, promised to the faithful at the end of time.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:35-36 (KJV) ‘For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: Naked, and ye clothed me not: I was sick, and ye visited me not: I was in prison, and ye came unto me not.’ Reflection on the Gospel In these verses, Jesus speaks about compassion and how our actions towards others reflect our love for Jesus. Jesus teaches us that by caring for those in need, we are also caring for Jesus. This passage challenges us to look beyond ourselves and extend kindness and mercy to those around us. Prayer Heavenly Father, I come to you asking for a heart filled with compassion. Help me to see others through your eyes, to feel their pain, and to be moved to action. Teach me to love and care for those who are suffering, just as Jesus did. Let my actions reflect your love and bring comfort to those in need. Thank you for your endless compassion and grace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Personal Reflection I think about a time when I was in need and someone showed me compassion. How did it make me feel? Now, I consider a time when I had the opportunity to help someone else. How did my actions impact them? Compassion is more than just feeling sympathy for others; it is about taking action to alleviate their suffering. By practicing compassion, I bring God’s love into the world. Meditation On The Prayer And Gospel Compassion begins with recognizing the humanity in others and responding with love and kindness. Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36 remind me that my treatment of others is a reflection of my relationship with Jesus. This is not only a call to action but an invitation to embody God’s love in my daily life. As I meditate on this prayer, I remember the story of the Good Samaritan. Despite being a stranger, the Samaritan showed great compassion to a wounded traveler, demonstrating the kind of love Jesus calls me to show. This story illustrates that true compassion knows no boundaries and is driven by love. I think about those in my community who are in need. I visualize their faces and hold them in my thoughts. I imagine Jesus standing with me, encouraging me to extend compassion and kindness. I feel the warmth of Jesus’ love as I commit to making a difference in their lives. Compassion is not just about grand gestures but also about small acts of kindness that can transform someone’s day. It involves listening, understanding, and being present for others. As I practice compassion, I become a vessel of God’s grace, reflecting Jesus’ love to those around me. Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of compassion. Help me to follow your footsteps and show love to those in need. Grant me the strength and courage to act with kindness and mercy. Fill my heart with empathy and understanding, and let your love be evident in all that I do. Amen. Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12 (KJV) ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;’ Blessing May the compassion of God fill my heart and guide my actions. May His grace empower me to show love and kindness to those in need. Go forth in His love, extending mercy and compassion to all you meet. Amen.
Saint Cyril’s exhortation to catechumens on the cusp of their baptism is both tender and trenchant—a passionate plea for authentic conversion and inward renewal. Saint Cyril’s language, though steeped in fourth-century catechetical formality, rings with timeless clarity: ‘Confess what you have done… if you confess at the acceptable time, you will receive the heavenly treasure.’ The stakes could not be higher, nor the invitation more generous [ … ]
In the poem, Herbert describes an altar made of a broken heart, cemented with tears. This suggests that the altar is not a physical structure but a symbol of the poet’s contrite and humble heart, offered to God. The act of constructing this altar signifies repentance and a desire for spiritual renewal [ … ]
