6TH SUNDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2022, JER 17. 5-8, 1 COR 15. 12, 16-20, LUKE 6. 17, 20-26
Focus: In human life, always two options are placed before us: bliss and curse. It is left to us what to choose. But each choice will have its own results and consequences
1. The Word of God of today encounters us with a radical contrast between being blessed and being cursed. It sheds clear light on both the modes of being, on how one becomes blessed or cursed. It places before us the ways and means how one attains bliss and also how one forfeits the same and falls to curse. Subsequently, it also challenges us to make a choice between the two
2. The first reading from prophet Jeremiah affirms that excessive trust in human resources and worldly strengths, and alienation from God make one cursed. He is like a desert shrub that is unproductive and fruitless. In contrast, profound trust in the Lord makes one blessed. He is like a tree planted by water and is deeply rooted, ever fresh and green, ever tranquil and fruit-bearing.
3. The same contrast between bliss and curse is furthered in the gospel in the light of the beatitudes. Poverty, hunger, weeping and suffering make one blessed, while riches, having full, laughter and self-glory make one cursed. As evident, there is a clear contrast between the two polarities: Poverty is in contrast to riches. Hunger is in contrast to having full, weeping is in contrast to laughter, and suffering is in contrast to self-glory
4. But these need more clarity and cannot be understood at their face and surface level. Accordingly, “poverty” is not merely material poverty. It is poverty in spirit. This implies a profound spirit of humility, self-insufficiency, and total dependence on God and surrender to Him. On the contrary, “being rich” signifies feeling and acting self-sufficient, self-complacent, arrogant, materialistic, and money-minded
5. “Hunger” is not merely the material hunger for food but much more. It signifies a deep hunger and thirst for God, higher things, spiritual concerns, for righteousness and justice. On the contrary, “having full” signifies a lack of this inner craving but being filled with the things and interests of the world. It is “satisfaction” in indifference and unjust “oppression”. In other words, it is to “be drunk” with worldliness
6. “Weeping” is not merely a matter of feeling sad and shedding some tears. It implies a deep sensitivity, tenderness, and compassion, a positive vulnerability to be moved and even wounded by the plight of others. It would also mean the ability and the willingness to be empathetic and in solidarity with those who are suffering. On the contrary, “laughter” would signify comfort-seeking, seeking temporary gratifications, unhealthy pleasures, unlawful fun, and prohibited deviations. It would also imply deriving happiness at the cost of others, through ridicule, mockery, and making fun
7. “Suffering” is not merely physical suffering. It would include insult, persecution, and calumny. It is the spirit of self-abnegation and self-resignation. It is rejoicing to suffer something for Christ considering it as an honor. This is in contrast to the applause, flattery, and pleasantries of the world; this is seeking cheap popularity, self-projection, and self-promotion. In short, it is all undue craving for self-glory
8. Thus, while the positive thrust of the blessedness of discipleship in Luke (Vv. 20-23) is very much similar to that in Mt 5. 3-12, there are some noteworthy differences. There is an addition of a strong tone of curse and condemnation against the non-disciples (Vv. 24-26).
9. A disciple will be blessed with immense recompense on account of his fidelity. The ingredients of this rewarded bliss will be: becoming rich with the gain of the kingdom of heaven itself, being satiated and filled by God Himself, being consoled and comforted, and being honored and credited in God’s sight
10. But on the other hand, misery awaits those who follow the world and not the Lord: desolation and discomfort for the rich, hunger and deprivation for those who are full, sorrow and pain for those who enjoy and fun about, discredit and misery for those who ride in self-glory and cheap popularity and fame
Direction: Let us not be so short-sighted being caught up with what is present and temporary. Let us wisely steer ourselves to be focused on and oriented to the eternal future
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