Blessed Are the Brave

Reflection Date: June 8, 2026 | Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: 1 Kings 17:1-6;  Matthew 5:1-12

Children of God:
This coming July 2, 2026, I will travel to Vietnam, and honestly, it excites me very much. 

I will be there to witness and cover the beatification of Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep at the Tac Say Pilgrimage Center in Ca Mau Province. 

He was a Vietnamese priest known for his deep love for his people during one of the darkest periods in Vietnam’s history. 

During the First Indochina War, violence and fear spread across many villages. 

The war involved the struggle between Vietnamese nationalist forces and French colonial rule after World War II. 

Many civilians became trapped in conflict, uncertainty, and displacement. 

In the midst of danger, Father Diep refused to abandon his parishioners even when he was advised to escape. 

He courageously said, “I live among my sheep, and if I must die, I will die among them.” 

In 1946, he was captured and killed because he chose to remain with his people. 

Today, many Vietnamese Catholics remember him not only as a martyr but also as a shepherd who stayed faithful until the end. 

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus climbed a mountain and spoke words that surprised many people. 

Instead of praising the powerful, the rich, and the comfortable, He called the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and the persecuted “blessed.” 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, God sees strength in people who remain faithful during suffering.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). 

These words sounded unusual because suffering was normally seen as a sign of weakness or failure. 

Yet Jesus revealed that those who remain faithful despite suffering are precious in the eyes of God.

Father Diep reflected this kind of faithfulness. 

He did not become holy because he was famous or powerful. 

He became holy because he chose to remain loyal to God and to his people even in danger. 

In our own lives, we also face moments of suffering and challenge. 

We may experience rejection, disappointments, misunderstandings, or silent struggles. 

Sometimes doing what is right becomes difficult. 

Yet Jesus reminded us that God sees every hidden sacrifice and every courageous act of love.

God sees strength in people who remain faithful during suffering.

Second, true happiness comes from living with compassion and trust in God.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). 

The Beatitudes taught that blessedness is not based on wealth, popularity, or success. 

Real joy comes from a heart that trusts God and cares for others.

Today, the world often tells us to prioritize comfort and personal gain. 

But Jesus invited us to a deeper joy—the joy of mercy, kindness, humility, and trust in God. 

When we live with compassion, we begin to reflect the heart of Christ. 

This kind of happiness lasts longer than temporary success.

True happiness comes from living with compassion and trust in God.

Now we reflect: When challenges come, do I remain faithful to God or easily give up? 

How do I show compassion and mercy in my daily relationships? What Beatitude do I need to live more intentionally starting today?

Children of God: 
The Beatitudes remain one of the most beautiful and challenging teachings of Jesus. 

They turn the values of the world upside down and invite us into a different way of living. 

We may not face war or martyrdom, but we all face daily opportunities to choose love, mercy, humility, and courage. 

The mountain where Jesus preached the Beatitudes becomes present whenever we choose goodness over selfishness. 

May we continue climbing that mountain with faith and hope.