Sixth Sunday of the Year: C: February 16, 2025

 THE BLESSED IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5 to 8

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

Gospel Reading: Luke 6: 17 and 20 to 26

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah speaks about two types of people: The first type are those who trust in humans. The second type are those who trust in the Lord God. He explains to us that the life of the one who trusts in humans is as precarious and uncertain as that of a shrub growing in the desert. However the life of the one who trusts in the Lord God is 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 died and who will die will be raised up by God as Jesus was raised from the dead. Hence, the resurrection of Jesus 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 Gospel Jesus invites us to understand the meaning and the depth of true happiness in the Kingdom of God. In it we discover the values Christ held up before His disciples. He offers His disciples a whole new set of goals and values. These are the exact opposite of those coveted by the world. In the first part of today's Gospel 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 of the Gospel, 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. In these words Jesus expresses a revolutionary agenda for finding happiness and blessings and vice versa . They represent a complete and total reversal of worldly values and ideas. People in the world look for prosperity, comfort, fun and popularity. Jesus totally rejects all such ideas of happiness but He also attaches woes to them. The beatitudes in other words declare that happiness and blessings do not come from what we have but from what we are - God's chosen people who are precious in His sight. Happiness and blessings do not derive from what we achieve but from what we receive- God's gift of Himself. Through the beatitudes, Jesus gives us the secret  of finding happiness regardless of our state of life. Hence, through these blessings and woes Jesus is amply making clear the reversal of values in the Kingdom of God as opposed to those who follow the values of the world. 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 and power. In this context Catherine Doherty says: "The Beatitudes are terrifying when you try to live them." Blessed Marija Petkovic says: "If I had money I would trust in money, but without it I trust only in God." May the Lord Jesus bless you with the blessings He has promised to those who follow His teachings and live accordingly. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, February 16, 2025." Thanks.)