02/01/2026

 A couple of days ago, while I was visiting another parish, a woman came into the sacristy and asked, “Father, can I say something to the people about ICE before Mass starts?”

I hesitated. As you know, that is a very sensitive issue these days. But I told myself: “We know what is right, and as Christians, we should have the courage to speak up.” Even though I couldn’t say anything since I have to be extra careful as a foreigner, I gave her my permission. She immediately went out and addressed the people: “Be careful, the black ice is on the stairs and driveway.”

 She meant the real ice; I was thinking about the news. I was so stuck on social issues that I missed the reality in front of me.

This slightly embarrassing moment forced me to reflect on my own focus.

You know, Whatever fills your mind eventually controls how you think and act.

In this respect, today’s Gospel—the Sermon on the Mount—was revolutionary. It transformed how people believed back then, and it challenges how we believe today.

 Why do you think the sermon on the mountain is so important? Just because it is a good consolation to the people? or just because of its length?

– It is because the sermon on the mountain is the first official sermon of Jesus.

Think back to your school days. What does a teacher do in the very first class of the semester? They hand out the syllabus. They explain the subject so the students know what they are learning and how to study.

We should approach Jesus’ first sermon the same way. The very first and foremost message of his sermon is the blessings. This was a radical shift in perspective.

From the time of the Old Testament, the Israelites were trained primarily “not to violate the law.” They lived like students being monitored during a strict exam—passively following the rules, terrified of making a mistake.

This kind of "faith of avoidance" keeps you safe from punishment, but it keeps you trapped in a passive faith life.

In this sense, the Sermon on the Mountain opens our eyes to the true way of faith: “walking actively toward the blessing of God.”

Jesus moves our sight from what we should “avoid” to where we are “going.” He moves us from being "careful" to being "active." He transforms our faith from the “faith of avoidance” to the “faith of pursuit.”

So, what does your faith look like today? Are you merely being careful to avoid violations? Or are you actively and boldly walking forward to taste His blessing?

The choice is given. And Jesus is still proclaiming to us today: “Blessed are you; your reward will be great in heaven.”