Note from the Editor

Dear Reader,

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10

In this issue, we reflect on a teaching that is as challenging today as it was when Christ first spoke it. In the original Greek, the word we translate as “righteousness” is δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē). This is a term that is much richer than the modern idea of a private, “holier-than-thou” virtue. Instead, the original term speaks of a right order, a life set in proper relationship with God, with others, and with our own inner selves. It means that we live our lives fully aligned with God’s truth, justice, and mercy and have integrity of the inner and outer person.

A life built on δικαιοσύνη is beautiful, but it is not without cost. Christ acknowledges that such integrity may draw misunderstanding, resistance, even forms of persecution - which can be constant and relentless. Yet He also promises that for those who persevere through these trials: the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Many of us, especially in our daily work and service, know this tension well. It takes courage, sacrifice, and sometimes real suffering to uphold right-ordered relationships: to set boundaries, to resist what is expedient, to act in ways that are counter-cultural yet faithful. It requires us to reflect God’s justice and mercy together, in every sphere of life: in our homes, our workplaces, our families, and the private, shadowy and dusty inner corners of our heart.

Allowing God to enter these hidden places within us is not easy work. But it is necessary. And it is only by walking this path of truth and integrity that we inherit the promise Christ gives: the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who endure in righteousness.

In faith and fellowship,

Dr. Esther Tan
Editor, Catholic Reflexions Magazine

The Eighth Beatitude: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Each month, we invite an original article or feature an existing article by a respected Catholic author.

by Father Boniface Ramsey

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, with eight blessings, which are commonly referred to as Beatitudes.  We could just as well call them Happinesses, because the Gospels are written in Greek, and both “blessing” and “happiness” are the same word in Greek.  That means that we could translate the first part of the eighth beatitude as “Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake,” which puts into high relief how extraordinary Jesus’ words are. What is Jesus getting at by saying that it is a happy thing to be persecuted for righteousness’s sake?

Most of us—if not all of us—have experienced harsh treatment from other people for no apparent good reason; we didn’t do anything that we are aware of to deserve it.  Sometimes the treatment is momentary; someone has had a bad day, for instance, and has taken his frustration out on us, and the next day it is as though nothing happened; we could hardly call that persecution.  But we might refer to a prolonged bout of unprovoked harsh treatment from someone else, when nothing that we could say or do would alleviate the situation, as persecution.  If that is the case, then we are getting closer to what Jesus means when he talks about being persecuted “for righteousness’s sake.”  Hard words or hard actions directed against a person who is innocent of wrongdoing, who is righteous in the sense of being blameless in regard to what he is being badly treated for, and who, moreover, puts up with it as best he can, is something very near to persecution “for righteousness’s sake.”  We all know of innocent people whose reputations have been ruined or who have suffered imprisonment or even death, despite their innocence.  Yet none of this is precisely what Jesus had in mind when he said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted,” and then qualified that by adding “for righteousness’s sake.”

It is the phrase “for righteousness’s sake” which is the key to understanding this beatitude.  But this phrase itself demands an explanation, and Jesus himself shows what he means in the words that follow:  “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Suffering for righteousness’s sake is not merely suffering when one is innocent but rather because one is innocent.  More specifically, it is suffering because one is an innocent Christian whose very identity as a disciple of the innocent Christ provokes contempt and hatred and even murderous thoughts.  Jesus himself is the unique embodiment of innocence and righteousness, and therefore “for righteousness’s sake” and “on my account” are identical.

The martyrs of the New Testament (beginning with Stephen, who was stoned to death) and of the early Church (one thinks of Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp and Perpetua and Felicity, among countless others) have been joined by innumerable martyrs from every subsequent age, all of whom suffered and died for Christ and so fulfilled the terms of the beatitude and gained the kingdom of heaven. Those who work for international organizations like the United Nations are perhaps more aware than most of the fact that in our own day the number of those who have been slandered and mocked and imprisoned and tortured and slaughtered because they are Christians has not diminished; indeed, it has increased.  And has it not also been the case that, over the centuries, Christians—even devout Christians!—have persecuted one another and thought that they were doing God’s will?

What blessedness, what happiness, is there in this?  Because passionate lovers consider it a blessing to suffer on account of the ones whom they love, they find happiness in suffering “on my account.”  But only lovers know this, and so only lovers can make sense of the eighth beatitude; no one else is able.

We may be tempted to think that, of all the eight beatitudes, this is the only one that, practically speaking, does not apply to most of us. Poverty of spirit and purity of heart and all the rest may seem to be both desirable and within everyone’s grasp, whereas being persecuted for righteousness’s sake, as the martyrs were, seems neither desirable nor attainable. There certainly may be some truth in that, but we would be foolish to rule it out completely.  More than that, though, whenever we personally encounter some prejudice against us because we are Christians, and feel the sting and the injustice of it, we are getting a small taste, however fleeting, of being persecuted “for righteousness’s sake,” and we are that much closer to the ineffable reward of the kingdom of heaven.

Interview with A Catholic: Marie Camille Valencia Martinez

Each month, we have an intimate chat with a practicing Catholic. We discuss why they believe what they believe, the difference Christ has made in their lives, and any lessons learned from their faith journey. For this month, we feature MARIE CAMILLE VALENCIA MARTINEZ.

What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness, and how do you remain steadfast in your faith and values during difficult times?

It can mean lots of things for different people but for me, it is simply to accept every aspect of the Lord’s will in my life despite the fact that many do not agree with or truly believe in the Gospel.  

Everyone, even Catholics, love to mock the fact that I have more than two children. 

Christ said whoever welcomes a little one as this, welcomes me/the one who sent me… 

I was at daily mass one day while I was on leave and an elderly woman remarked at how cute the baby was and well-behaved.  I responded that thankfully, I must’ve learned something my 4th time around.  To which, she said angrily, “You have 4 kids?  Please stop!  I mean because they’re so expensive.”  And I said, “Yes, they are, but God provides.”  And she said,  “Yes, he does.”

It was/is not a conscious decision that my husband and I made.  It is a daily saying “yes” to the invitation of God to be open to His will, and part of this involves being open to life.  

This openness to life and the “little ones” obviously takes shape in many forms such as the obvious one of having only as many children as we are given, to daily renounce the fears that we all have to be closed to life, i.e. fear of lack of securities, e.g. space, money, or the loss of time/sleep, loss of self/hobbies, interference with career or other aspirations, etc.  

It also means to be open to where His will may lead me, for example to quit my job or to give up my free time to listen to someone in need or lend a hand to the elderly or lost or give of my money or resources to the needy.  This poverty can be financial but can also be a spiritual poverty, too, which we all experience at some times or others…

The difficult times are thankfully a light yoke that the Lord has laid on me for my conversion.  I have often been given mean looks by complete strangers in the airport while traveling with my family or talked about by other parents in my children’s schools because most have 1 kid.  Those that dare for 2 start to think we’re even crazier for having double what they have; but then start to show some respect for us because they struggle with theirs and they can imagine how difficult it is for us with four kids— 5 years old and under.  

Again, it is definitely allowed by Him because it enables me to see how vain I am and can tend to care so much about what people think about me.  

The hardest pill to swallow was when my mom expressed her anger and disappointment when I announced I was pregnant with my third.  Other bitter moments are when our family/relatives either make fun of or get upset when we leave a gathering or event early or cannot show up at all because we have a conflict with church or post confirmation, where we give up our Friday nights every week,  hosting youth, starting from the year when they have received confirmation at about 13 years old— for 5 years until they turn 18.   

We prioritize going to mass, serving as post confirmation (PC) parents, helping our 8 PC youth scrutinize the Bible and learn about different themes such as the virtues or the commandments, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and doing morning prayer with our children by singing songs and breaking down the Gospel every Sunday for them— because we know how important it is for our souls as well as that of our kids and others to be nourished.  Without it, we can easily fall into despair, drown in our sins or worse become Pharisees, hypocritically thinking we are better than anyone else because of x, y or z.  It could not be further from the truth.  Our righteousness, if we have any, is only the Lord’s grace given to us when we have welcomed it.  

Fortunately for us, we have a community of believers who also help keep us accountable on this journey of faith and catechists who constantly nurture us in the context of church teaching, and a very beautifully designed structure (I mean a safe space of sorts) not necessarily the buildings or meeting rooms we utilize or have been built but simply the ‘Upper Room’, you can say, that the Lord always prepares for us— ready, and waiting for us— to be able to experience Christ in our midst.  For when 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, He is among us, He promised.  

Oftentimes, we are less than 20 brothers & sisters like in the early church, gathering in one another’s home or in the parish center or a vacant room of the church or school, but like the question asks— we gather not to be liked or understood by everyone or even by each other most times, but with our flaws and all— to ‘encourage each other daily while it is still today’ because we know the goodness that the Lord pours out on us when we do not harden our hearts to His Word— which takes flesh in our lives.  This sword of truth— the Word— has the power to give us courage in the face of all our fears, doubts, insecurities, sufferings and breathe new life into us to continue to accept the call He has for us to be salt, light and leaven in the world just by being open to His will day by day, and not rebelling against any tiny or even unjust aspect of it.  

I am a justice-maker many times in my heart, if someone did something wrong or even just slights me, I will have trouble to truly forgive & forget on my own.  However, to meet a Christian, I was told, is to touch Christ (like the one bloodied in His passion), to show love for those persecuting and killing Him & unity with the Father, not praying for the cross to be taken away), beyond our comprehensible capabilities scares people—me included!  

I shudder at the thought of one being able to forgive an unfaithful spouse, to take care of a drunken or abusive family member, for a child to reconcile with a parent who has abandoned or hurt him/her, to be able to wish my enemies well or think that the Lord has indeed died for and loves those who are guilty of the most heinous crimes.  

Though, this is what I am praying daily to be able to do— be crucified in those situations I cannot accept.  I hope that my life not be in vain— that the things I strive for may not be to have the Lord do my will but, in all uncomfortable, distressing and painful situations to be able to bless the Lord and thank Him, trusting that He can give me both the trials and the fortitude, if I ask for it, to be pruned in order to bear fruits. That is, in faith that all His work has been/will continue to be perfect, to hope for a chance at eternal life and to show charity to all His creation.  

Speaker Notes: Making the Most of the Fullness of Time - A Talk by Fr. Roger Landry

Each month, we summarize a talk previously presented to our members.

On November 4, 2021, Fr. Roger Landry offered a thought-provoking reflection on Making the Most of the Fullness of Time, addressing how Catholics can approach time from a spiritual perspective. November, marked by All Saints and All Souls Days, naturally invites contemplation of the last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Fr. Landry emphasized that while many secular experts teach time management, Catholics are called to integrate God’s eternal perspective into how they use time.

Fr. Landry began with a reflection on the biblical concept of time. He introduced two Greek terms for time: chronos (sequential time—minutes, hours, and days) and kairos (God’s opportune moment). Using kairos, he explained how Christians are invited to transform every moment into an encounter with God. He cited Galatians 4:4, which speaks of “the fullness of time” when God sent His Son, and how Christ’s entry into human history gives deeper meaning to how we live every second. Time is no longer just chronos but an opportunity to live in union with God in every action.

Seven Practices to Make the Most of Time

Fr. Landry outlined seven practical ways Catholics can sanctify time:

1. Living in God’s Presence
   Drawing inspiration from the Desert Fathers, Fr. Landry encouraged cultivating an awareness of God’s constant presence. Simple practices like reciting short prayers, keeping holy images at work, or silently calling on the name of Jesus can help turn daily tasks into opportunities for communion with God.

2. Praying Always
   Based on Christ’s command to “pray without ceasing” (Luke 18), Fr. Landry explained that continuous prayer doesn’t mean perpetual recitation but rather living every moment with a prayerful heart. Even daily activities can become moments of grace when done in union with God.

3. Repentance and Faith
   True repentance, he said, is more than turning from sin—it’s a complete transformation of the mind and heart (metanoia) toward God. This conversion must be ongoing, allowing Jesus to shape every thought and decision, leading to a deeper trust and union with Him.

4. Balancing Work and Rest
   He discussed the biblical origin of the seven-day week and the Sabbath’s importance, highlighting how many have lost the meaning of both work and rest. Fr. Landry urged participants to rediscover Sunday as a day for renewal—centered on God, family, and love for others.

5. Converting Human Seasons into Thanksgiving
   Reflecting on Old Testament practices, Fr. Landry encouraged participants to see life’s seasons—planting, harvest, rest—as opportunities to offer thanks to God. He recommended turning every season into a moment of gratitude, recognizing God’s hand in each stage.

6. Living the Liturgical Year
   The liturgical seasons offer Catholics a framework for sanctifying time. Advent, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time are all invitations to reflect, prepare, repent, and celebrate in harmony with the Church’s rhythm. He emphasized the importance of centering daily life on the Eucharist and learning from the saints.

7. Preparing for the End of Time
   Fr. Landry reminded participants that chronos will eventually end for each of us. He quoted Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ, stressing the importance of living each day as if it were our last. Preparing for death with faith and trust in God ensures that we embrace the ultimate kairos—eternal life with Christ.

Fr. Landry concluded with two principles for living intentionally, inspired by Jesus’ words: “No one takes my life from me; I freely lay it down” (John 10:18) and “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:49). He invited participants to entrust themselves to God daily, living with purpose, love, and full trust in His providence.

The talk was followed by a Q&A session. Fr. Landry encouraged participants to embrace these practices for spiritual growth and reminded them that the full talk is available on CatholicPreaching.com.

The full talk is available here.

Workplace Tips: Tips to Help You Stay Organized at Work

Each month, we offer advice and tips for being effective in our workplaces. Drawing from global best practices and personal experiences, we share insights for your use.

7 Strategies for Prioritizing Tasks at Work

1. Create a Master Task List

2. Identify What’s Truly Important

3. Highlight Urgent Tasks

4. Use the Urgent-Important Matrix

5. Avoid Competing Priorities

6. Consider Effort Required

7. Review & Adjust Regularly

Quick Tips for Effective Prioritization

• Write everything down – Capture all tasks to maintain clarity.

• Set long-term goals – Break them into yearly, monthly, and weekly steps.

• Create deadlines – Even for tasks without formal due dates.

• Use the MIT method – Identify the three most important tasks to complete each day.

• Limit distractions – Avoid switching between tasks unnecessarily.

Be realistic – Accept that not everything can be done in a day.

Original article is available here.

Spiritual Life Tips: When Being Thankful Is Hard, Remember This

Each month, we offer practical advice and tips related to our Catholic faith and spirituality.

by Nicholas LaBanca

As the days grow shorter and the burdens of life weigh heavy, it can be challenging to maintain a spirit of gratitude. However, Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to set aside earthly cares and focus on God’s blessings. The Byzantine Catholic Cherubic Hymn reminds us to let go of anxieties and prepare our hearts for Christ, much like Thanksgiving invites us to reflect on gratitude. Jesus Himself teaches in Matthew 6 not to be anxious about tomorrow, but to trust in God’s providence.

For Catholics, Thanksgiving has a deeper meaning, as “Eucharist” literally means “thanksgiving” in Greek. Despite Church scandals and struggles, our faith remains in Christ, not in flawed individuals. The Church, as His Bride, continues to offer the Eucharist, Confession, and community, which nourish and restore us. Leaving the Church due to human failings would mean abandoning the very means Christ gave us for grace and renewal.

Instead, we are called to share the Good News with our loved ones, spreading the joy and gratitude we have in Christ and His Church. Pope Benedict XVI reminds us that Christ transformed suffering into thanksgiving, offering us true life. This Thanksgiving, as we give thanks for family, food, and blessings, we should also renew our gratitude for the Church and our faith, remembering that in the end, God wins.

Original article is available here.

For inquiries, or potential contributions to the magazine, please contact unitednationscatholicclub@outlook.com