Jesus teaching of the Beatitudes is the core of the Gospel two Sundays ago in Luke 6:17, 20-26 as well as in Jeremiah 17: 5-8. It seems contradictory as blessed those whom the world considers not blessed. But those whom the world purviews as blessed, the Lord says the opposite. Why did he say woe to the rich, the consoled, those who laugh and get public approval? How can the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the hated, insulted and denounced considered blessed? Contradictory?
Surely, the Lord’s teaching makes our eyes big in wonder and gives us great discomfort when we‘re used to live in comfort zones of security, fame and public rating, when people speak well of us. In the Beatitudes the Lord emphasizes that we strive for the primacy of the spiritual and moral value over the worldly.
Words of Pope Francis in this regard; “Wealth ensures nothing. Indeed, once we think we are rich, we can become so self-satisfied that we leave no room for God’s word, for the love of our brothers and sisters, or for the enjoyment of the most important things in life. In this way we missed out the greatest treasure of all. That is why Jesus calls blessed those who are poor in spirit, those who have a poor heart, for there the Lord can enter with his perennial newness.”
To grow in love of God and neighbor is the most important thing to do in life. (Mt. 22:36-39). Someone can be rich and loving, however, Pope Francis gives a caveat that generally when one has possessions, position, influence, power and abundance there’s the tendency to depend security on them than on God. They consume our time and energy that nothing is left for God in thought, prayer and worship. Jeremiah says that if we trust and seek strength in human beings and in the flesh, and our heart turns away from God, we are cursed not blessed. Jer. 17: 5-8).
When the pursuit of wealth is not our focus, we then come in close contact with our own poverty. We discover that we have not really loved well, honestly, we’ll discover that we’re self-centered. In our poverty, we’re able to beg God’s mercy to change our ways and strengthen us when hated and contradicted by the worldly for following His Way. Jesus calls blessed those who follow him.
On the flip side, someone said that love means caring even when you’re angry and it’s difficult. Life is not about being rich, popular, highly educated, but it’s about being real, humble, merciful and kind. Don’t let your past experiences harm your future. Your past can be altered and your future doesn’t deserve the punishment. It’s not what we have in life but who we are in life that matters. Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. The black sheep is sometimes the only one telling the truth. Confidence is silent, insecurities are loud. People notice the change in your attitude towards them, but won’t notice their behavior that made you change. Two things prevent us from happiness; living in the past and observing others. Amen on that folks!!
St. Faustina Jesus’ words: “ Today penetrate into the spirit of my poverty and arrange everything in such a way that the most destitute will have no reason to envy you.” (Diary 532).
Pray the Divine Mercy every 3 p.m. daily pray and the Holy Rosary for peace in our families and in the world.