Gospel: Luke 6:17, 20-26

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
‘Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
‘Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

‘Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
‘But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
‘Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
‘Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.

‘Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Luke 6:17, 20-26

Reflection:

Our gospel for today is from Luke 6:17, 20-26 which talks about the eight important beatitudes. These beatitudes will always remind us of turning the negatives into positive ones. The beatitudes are all about lessons in poverty, hunger and hatred. It is not about learning its meaning but experiencing how each unravels our hearts.

Jesus gave us the beatitudes so that we can experience love and the feeling to give love. The opportunity to help others especially those who suffer. This message of love is for everyone. We need to understand that to do this, we must have trust in God.

In Luke 6:17, 20-26 , if you are poor, hungry and sorrowful, you will have the Kingdom of God. We must not understand these beatitudes the wrong way. If you are a true holy person, you can understand it with whole heart. 

Yes, the Kingdom of Heaven favors those who suffer, those who are poor and those who are hungry. For sure they will have the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for them. As for the rich, it doesn’t mean you will never go to heaven because you are rich. In literal form, and if you understood the wrong way, it may sound like that.

This is the truth in the gospel from Luke 6:17, 20-26. If you are rich here on earth, learn to open your heart to the people who o needs you. If you have money, help the poor, the homeless, and the hungry. Do it with a light and will heart. God knows what you feel inside. If you are hypocrite, still your help won’t do.

As a Christian myself, I have experienced the happiness that each help brings to me in my own little ways. Yes, I may not be rich with money and house and all the wealth of this world but I can share. I have also my own struggles but I still care and still pity those who reach out to me. The moment I offer little help to someone in need, the joy is everlasting.

This is what I am trying to tell you in this reflection today. We don’t have to be wealthy to help others. Our purpose here on earth is meaningless if we never get to experience enlightenment. – Clea | Helpline PH