Our Sabbath Scripture Stories – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A

Read or listen to this Sunday’s Mass readings here.

  • Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13
  • 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
  • Matthew 5:1-12a

Bumble Bees?  With halos?  What was going on this week? 

The Pauline children came downstairs this morning to find the living room decorated with colored construction paper shaped like bees.  The bees had a word written on them.

“Don’t tell me … ” Vincent chuckled. “I know this has something to do with the Gospel readings … “

After breakfast, the family gathered in the living room, surrounded by the colorful bees.

Dad read the Gospel passage for this morning.  It was one of his favorites.  The Scriptures spoke of the BEATITUDES.  The Beatitudes are road maps for getting to heaven.

“Okay,” said Dad.  “Let’s look at all these bees that Mom sneaked on the walls while you were sleeping.”

Dad pointed to the bee with the number one on its wing and the word “trust” on it.

“Our first BEE tells us to BE … TRUSTING,” Dad said.  “Jesus told us, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ ”  (Matthew 5:3)

Mom added, “So our first Bee-Attitude is to put your trust in Jesus, telling Him that, by yourself, you can do nothing good.  You need His help to be good.  Ask Jesus for His grace that you may live as a child of God.  Being poor in spirit, you must do God’s will rather than your own.”

Dad continued, looking at the bee labeled number two.  “Our next Bee-Attitude is PEACE.  Jesus tells us, ‘Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.’  (Matthew 5:4)  When we are in pain or need forgiveness, Jesus will give us His peace and joy.  This Bee-Attitude teaches us to be truly sorry for our sins and for hurting Jesus.”

“So, by the looks of it,” Vincent said, “this reading’s not so bad after all.  Not that I ever thought any of them were … ah, but … it’s a nice reading, yet … ah … ah, Dad, you know what I mean!” he exclaimed as he sh             The Pauline family went one-by-one through the other Bee-Attitudes.       The third one was labeled “HUMILITY,” for Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.”  (Matthew 5:5) When you are obedient to your parents and teachers, you are humble.  You can be like Jesus who was always obedient to His Father.  Pray and ask, “Jesus, teach me to be humble like you.”

The fourth was labeled “HOLINESS,” for Jesus said that is the true way to heaven.  Mom told them that Jesus once said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  Mom asked them, “Do you really want to be holy?  You can ask Jesus for His help for you to try and follow His example of goodness.”

The fifth BEE said “MERCY,” for Jesus taught us to forgive others if we want God to forgive us.  Vincent thought of the “Our Father” prayer.  “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  And he added one of his own, “Jesus, help all of us to be merciful to others when they hurt us.”

The sixth colorful BEE said “ONLY GOD.”  Jesus told us that, “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) If we are “single-hearted,” we seek God in everything that we do and do all for the love of Him.  If we stay focused on only goodness and love, we WILL be in heaven some day.

Written on the seventh BEE was the word “PEACEMAKER.”  Jesus is the Prince of Peace; He is a peacemaker.  Jesus wants us to find harmony and love in all our friendships, and He can help guide our actions in the way of peace.

And the last Bee-Attitude was labeled “SUFFERING.”  If people laugh and make fun of you for trying to be good and holy, Jesus will reward you.  It’s okay to be brave in your faith!

Dad was finished explaining the Beatitudes.  They are guidelines for our lives.

“I like these BEEs!” Hillary exclaimed. 

“They ARE colorful, and they teach us a lot!” Mom agreed. 

“Can we leave them up?” Hillary asked. 

“Absolutely!” Mom said.  “We’ll keep them up for awhile as reminders of BEE-ING GOOD … right, Ben?”  Mom said to her 1-year-old.  And with that, she tickled her son and buzzed like a bee!

Would you prefer a print a copy of this story?

Cycle A, 4 OT, SSSDownload

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