My Sisters and Brothers,
The readings this week are guideposts for living as disciples of Jesus. How should our actions reflect our faith and trust in the Lord?
As we listen to this week’s Gospel (Lk 6:17, 20-26), Luke’s version of the Beatitudes jars our sensibilities. Those who are poor, hungry, weeping, or persecuted are called “blessed.” This is, indeed, a Gospel of reversals. Those often thought to have been forgotten by God are called blessed. In the list of “woes,” those whom we might ordinarily describe as blessed in this world are warned about their peril. Riches, possessions, laughter, reputation… these are not things that we can depend upon as sources of eternal happiness. They not only fail to deliver on their promise, but misplaced trust in them will lead to emptiness and eternal destruction. The ultimate peril is in misidentifying the source of our eternal happiness.
The Beatitudes are often described as a framework for Christian living. Jesus gives us the Beatitudes which are our prescription for Divine Happiness. The Beatitudes teach us how to enter the Kingdom of heaven and share in God’s divine life. They guide us in holiness.
Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. We are challenged to examine our present situation in the context of our ultimate destiny and life’s purpose, the Kingdom of God. Where do we place our ultimate trust? “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.”
God Bless,
Deacon Howard
