My brothers and sisters, today’s readings call us to examine the very foundation of our lives, the source of our strength, and the path our hearts ought to take in Jesus Christ our Lord. Jeremiah reminds us of the curse of trusting in human might and earthly power, a curse that resonates in a world often obsessed with wealth, status, and the fleeting rewards of this life.
We hear in the Gospel Jesus’s challenging pronouncements: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.” And, pointedly, “Woe to you who are rich.”It is a message that, at first glance, might seem counterintuitive. Does it mean we are to condemn financial success, even if it is the result of diligent work, intelligence, and striving for better lives?
No, the message is not that wealth is intrinsically evil. It is about where we place our ultimate trust. It is about the dangers of clinging to worldly possessions, and the risks of our focus on the accumulation of material goods. When we trust in human-created systems, we are like the "barren bush in the desert". We are susceptible to the storms, droughts, and changing seasons. Our faith, in these circumstances, can wither and our spirit be depleted.
Consider the world around us. We see individuals and corporations prioritizing profit over people, hoarding wealth while ignoring the suffering of the poor and marginalized. We witness political systems corrupted by greed and power, where the voices of the vulnerable are silenced. We witness the tragic consequences of acute poverty in some countries that are a result of the relentless pursuit of economic gain. These are examples of the "cursed" reliance on human power, of a society where the "rich" are often "filled" with worldly pleasures, while those who struggle are often "hungry."
But the Gospel reminds us that the Kingdom of God is different. It is a Kingdom of justice, of mercy, and of radical sharing. It is a place where the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized are not just pitied but are valued, are cared for, and are given a place at the table. Jesus calls us to be "like a tree planted beside the waters," deeply rooted in our faith, stretching our roots towards the life-giving stream of God's love.
The First Reading reminds us that those who trust in the Lord are blessed. This does not mean that Christians should just lay back and not work for material betterment or strive for social advancement since the Lord will provide, but rather, our primary goal should be to trust that even the work which gives Man his dignity, comes from the Lord.
The second reading calls us to believe in the Resurrection and the resurrection that will be given to us if we believe in Jesus.
The call of Christ is to love God and to love each other. The beatitudes are how to love those around us, even those who might not be the "easiest" to love.
Let us embrace the grace to love that can be found in Christ, and let us be a people of faith which is evidenced by action. May we all be "blessed" disciples of Jesus, bearing fruit in the service of God and neighbour. May we all be those who find their hope and their happiness, above all else, in the Lord.
Our Lady, Queen of the Beatitudes, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
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