The first Beatitude and the last promise the same reward. Why? Poverty of spirit is the beginning – awareness of our absolute need to be saved by Jesus ---- and then Interior transformation (mourning, meekness, mercy, purity, peacemaking) – and this leads to … pushback, resistance of the world without and the world within (the fight we all experience in our hearts): Persecution So: 👉 You start empty 👉 God reshapes your heart 👉 The world reacts A Modern Warning: Solzhenitsyn The Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once diagnosed modern society with startling clarity: “We have placed too much hope in political and social reforms, only to find out that we were being deprived of our most precious possession: our spiritual life… This is the real crisis.” His point was simple—and deeply biblical: You can fix systems and still lose your soul. You can gain comfort and lose conversion. You can improve society and forget God. Jesus offers us something more demanding—and more lasting. Kingdom Living! WIIFY: Why This Matters Because one day, Canadian citizenship will end. But Kingdom citizenship is eternal. The Beatitudes are not ideals for the elite. They are the entrance requirements for eternal life. Takeaways Daily Kingdom Practice Adults 🌿 Give God the first 5 minutes of your day Before email. Before news. Be still. Open Scripture or simply pray: “Lord, I need You today. Guide me.” That’s it. Five minutes daily, over a year, will change a life more than a thousand good intentions. ⸻ For Young People 🌿 Do one hidden act of kindness every day Just one – intentional act of kindness Help at home. And when you practice kindness every day, you don’t just do good — you slowly become good. That’s how saints are made. ⸻ Do that every day, and you will quietly become citizens of Heaven.” Closing The world tells us how to succeed here. Jesus tells us how to live forever. The question is not whether we belong somewhere. It is which Kingdom we are living for.

From the Homily But consistency compounds. It helps you to avoid giving up: Did you know Official Quitters Day was January 19th and then 12th and is now January 9th. Look it up if you doubt me! We give up too quick! Being faithful – day after day – to reading the Scriptures something beings to happen • Clarify your thinking • Strengthen your conscience • Expose temptation for what it really is • Build spiritual resilience You recognize lies more quickly. You resist temptation more consistently. Because the Light of Truth is shaping you, transforming you! This is not theory. Saint Augustine was converted through Scripture (Romans 13:13–14) Married person in the world Originally an Episcopalian, Elizabeth Ann Seaton wrestled honestly with suffering, the meaning of the Eucharist, and the authority of the Church after the death of her husband, William. During this period, Elizabeth immersed herself in Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospel of John. One passage in particular pierced her heart: “For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” (John 6:55, RSV-2CE) She wrote that she could no longer interpret these words symbolically without doing violence to the text itself. WIIFY – What’s In It for You? For Adults • Greater clarity in daily decisions • Strength to live your faith consistently • A deeper relationship with Jesus—not just knowledge about Him For Youth & Young Adults • Greater resilience in the face of anxiety • A stronger sense of identity • A foundation deeper than trends or social media Takeaways For Adults Choose faithfulness over perfection. Pick one simple practice: • Read the daily Mass readings • Listen to Scripture during your commute Do not let discouragement stop you. That voice is not from God. For Youth Let God speak into your life before the world does. Even 3 minutes a day in Scripture will shape how you think, choose, and live. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” That Light is Jesus Christ. May we sit daily at His feet. And may the Word of God not only inform us— but be allowed to transform us.

Practical takeaway for A & Y For Adults This week, choose one concrete spiritual action you have been postponing—Confession, daily prayer, reconciliation with someone, returning to Mass more intentionally—and do it within the next seven days. No negotiating. No “someday.” No EXUCISITUS! For Young People Pick one simple habit that brings you closer to Jesus—praying at night, resolve – no garbage sites on the net (you know already which ones these are), being kind when it’s hard—and start it today, not tomorrow. The question Epiphany leaves us with is this: Are you going to give in to EXCUSITUS and go to that vacation island called “later” or will you follow—now?

Takeaway for Adults Be intentional about where you seek connection. Technology can assist your life, but it cannot love you. This Christmas – ask “what can I give Jesus for his birthday that he does not already have (he’s God!)? He doesn’t have your heart, your love, your worship, your time, your patience – until you give it to him! renew your friendship with Jesus. Spend time with Him in prayer (15 minutes) and allow His truth—sometimes challenging, always loving—to shape your life. Takeaway for Young People Don’t settle for fake connection when real friendship is being offered. Apps, algorithms, and screens can occupy your attention—but they cannot love you, forgive you, or give your life meaning. Jesus knows you completely and chooses you anyway. Talk to Him honestly; give him your love, your time, your heart - invite Him into your real life! AI is tool – treat it as such Jesus is very real and wants a relationship with you. He says: You are loved and worth it!

PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY FOR ADULTS Identify and choose one concrete “frog” this week and bring it to Confession before Christmas. Name the thing you’ve been avoiding. Make the appointment – go to Confession! Let grace do the rest. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Pick one small thing you’ve been avoiding— prayer, kindness, forgiveness, reducing screens—and do it today. Take the challenge: Identify and then Eat that frog.

PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY FOR ADULTS Jesus Christ cannot be King of your life if something else rules your schedule, your habits, or your moral choices. 1. Establish one non-negotiable prayer time – for everyday - this week. • 15 minutes minimum – set this before the day is done! • Same time every day. • No phone in hand. Establish a “First 15 Rule” (Christ first, not the phone) • Before touching your phone in the morning: 1 minute – make the Sign of the Cross 5 minutes – Scripture (bold italics format: “Lord, speak, your servant is listening.” 5 minutes – gratitude list (3 things) 4 minutes – intercession for someone • This dethrones the phone as the first voice of the day and enthrones Christ. PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Let Christ Be King in How You Use Your Time For young people, the modern “king” is the screen. Screen time shapes affections, decisions, identity. Steps to “Jump Off the Log”: 1. Set a daily “King’s Hour.” One hour with: • No phone • No gaming • No social media Instead: • Pray • Do homework • Talk to your family • Read something meaningful 3. Before every major choice, pray this 5-second prayer: “Jesus, be King of this moment.” Christ is King of the universe. Today we ask Him to be King of my life! Not just by decision. But by action. Not just frogs who decide to jump… but disciples who actually leap into a life ruled by Jesus Christ who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

We are not called to be a comfortable church. We are called to be a consecrated Church—a people through whom God’s grace moves outward. TAKEAWAYS For Adults “Ask this week: Where will God’s grace flow through me?” One concrete act outside the church walls—one person blessed, encouraged, invited, forgiven, or helped. For Young People “Don’t be a bottle—be a river.” Let one friend see your faith. One kind word. One act of courage. One person you lift up. May this altar make us worshippers, but may the doors make us missionaries.