Luke 6:20-26

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

Luke 6:20-26

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,

for the Kingdom of God is yours.

Blessed are you who are now hungry,

for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who are now weeping,

for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you,

and when they exclude and insult you,

and denounce your name as evil

on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!

Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.

For their ancestors treated the prophets

in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your consolation.

But woe to you who are filled now,

for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who laugh now,

for you will grieve and weep.

Woe to you when all speak well of you,

for their ancestors treated the false

prophets in this way.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I see before me the path that leads to life and the path that leads to death. For some reason the path to death tugs at my heart. I feel the allure of the riches and glory of this passing world. Help me to overcome these temptations and set out on the path to eternal life and communion with you.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Path of Woe and the Path of Blessing: In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us about two paths. There is a path that leads to eternal joy and blessedness and a path that leads to eternal sorrow and woe. The second path is the way of the world. It involves putting riches in the first place, seeking to fill ourselves with earthly treasure, going through life seeking cheap thrills and frivolities, and seeking earthly honor and praise. The way of the world ultimately leaves us unsatisfied because it doesn’t fill us or respond to our eternal vocation. The first path is the way of Jesus: seeking first the kingdom of heaven, denying ourselves, enduring persecution and repenting of our sin, and accepting hatred on account of Jesus. We were made for heaven, for eternal communion with God. The only thing that truly fills us and brings us happiness is knowledge and love of God. At the same time, we cannot truly love God without loving our neighbor. We are poor and unattached to the things of this world because we have sold everything and have given to the poor. We are hungry because we place our neighbor’s needs above our own. We weep because we see how our sin and how our neighbor’s sin is a rejection of God’s love. We are hated because we preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.

2. The Path to Eternal Life: Paul also teaches us about the way that leads to eternal life. The present form of the world is passing away. Consequently, we need to keep our eyes and hearts focused on eternity. We live in this world but we are not of this world. Some are called to virginity and celibacy for the sake of the kingdom; others are called to matrimony and share in the love between Christ and his Church. Spouses seek to bring each other and their children along the path that leads to life. We suffer in this life, but suffering is not the final word. Suffering with Christ and for Christ leads to the blessedness of heaven. We rejoice on earth, but this is only the beginning of the eternal hymn of praise of heaven. We buy things here on earth but are more focused on storing up treasure in heaven. We use the things of this world, but only insofar as they bring us to salvation and the glory of heaven.

3. Enter the Eternal Palace: Today’s Psalm draws our minds and hearts to gaze on the Kingdom of heaven. At the end of our lives, if we have observed the Word of God in faith and love, we will enter the “palace of the King.” Jesus invites us to reign with him in glory and it is through our Baptism that we are configured with Christ the King. As sons and daughters of the King, we are promised a heavenly inheritance. If we endure, we will also reign with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, I must confess that it is hard to hear your words today. You ask me to be poor, to experience hunger, to weep, and to be persecuted. I trust in your words and will do my best to follow them.

Living the Word of God: When I look at my life, am I on the path of woe (temporal riches, earthly fulfillment, superficial laughter, celebrity) or on the path of blessing (detachment from riches, hunger for justice, suffering, enduring persecution)? How can I get on the right path?