DAILY- HOMILY

September 11, 2019 – WEDNESDAY, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Green.

Col 3: 1 – 11 / Lk 6: 20 – 26

FROM THE 1ST READING: Col 3: 1 – 4
So then, if you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that  are above, not on earthly things. For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, reveals himself, you also will be revealed with him in Glory.

GOSPEL READING: Lk 6: 20 – 26
Then lifting up his eyes to his disciples, Jesus said, "Fortunate are you who are poor, the kingdom of God is yours. Fortunate are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Fortunate are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

"Fortunate are you when people hate you, when they reject you and insult you and number you among criminals, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice  in that day and leap for joy, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. Remember that is how the ancestors of this people treated the prophets.

"But alas for you who have wealth, for you have been comforted now. Alas for you who are full, for you will go hungry. Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

"Alas for you when people speak well of you, for that is how the ancestors of these people treated the false prophets."

REFLECTION
In the first reading Paul reminds the early Christian communities that, following Christ's death and resurrection, we should die with regards to earthly things but live for heavenly things: "Set your mind on the things that are above, not on earthly things.

"For you have died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, reveals himself, you also will be revealed with him in Glory."

In the Gospel reading, a version of the Beatitudes as given in the Gospel of Luke, we are told which attitudes are really for heavenly things: "the poor, those who hunger, those who weep, those who are persecuted." Their opposites may be happy and blessed in this world but not in the next.

Every so often life throws us a curve-ball: a lingering illness or sudden death in the family, the loss of a job or being accused of wrong-doing. Whenever we feel discouraged in life, it may be comforting to listen to the Beatitudes. It may not change our life-situation but it may ease our pain and give us hope for one more step forward.

The Lord assures us that he is always there for us, that we should hope for a better tomorrow. The Lord assures us that those who suffer and are persecuted are indeed blessed and close to his loving heart. He understands pain and suffering because he had experienced even worse. He promises to walk with us, as he did all the way to Calvary and his resurrection.

FINALLY, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.


Have a good day!

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