Sixth Sunday of the Year: C: February 13, 2022

 THE BLESSED IN THE KINGDOM  OF GOD

First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5-8

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 12 and 16-20

Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 17 and 20-26

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah speaks about two types of people - the first those who trust in man and the second those who trust in the Lord God. He explains to us that the life of those who trust in man is as precarious as that of a shrub growing in the desert whereas the life of those who trust in the Lord God is as sure as that of a tree growing by the waterside. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul emphatically affirms that Christ's resurrection is a symbol and a guarantee that all the faithful who have died and who will die will be raised up by God as Jesus was raised. The resurrection of Jesus hence confirms our faith and reinforces our hope of a life after our earthly life. 

Blessings and woes (curses)                                                                  Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. In the first part of this passage Jesus enumerates various blessings for those who trust in the Lord. Fourfold blessings are mentioned: 1. Blessings for those who are poor. 2. Blessings for those who are hungry. 3. Blessings for those who weep. 4. Blessings for those who are hated and despised because they are followers of the Lord. In the second part we have fourfold woes (curses): 1. Woe to those who are rich. 2. Woe to those who are full. 3. Woe to those who laugh. 4. Woe to those who are well spoken of by others. Through these blessings and woes we are made to understand the reversal of values in the kingdom of God as opposed to those who follow the values of the world. Hence the beatitudes graphically explain to us that a follower of Christ has to trust in God in all situations of life rather than trusting in worldly riches and possessions.

"The Beatitudes are terrifying when you try to live them." - Catherine Doherty

"If I had money I would trust in money, but without it I trust only in God." - Blessed Marija Petkovic