Today is the sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Today’s readings are all about hope and the resurrection. In an unusual development this week the second reading aligns with the others. 1 Corinthians is a favorite of mine after the Gospels and Acts. It’s a very rich exposition of what we believe and why we believe it as well as how we should live with one another as a community of believers.
In Luke’s version of the Beatitudes we hear a simpler version than Matthew’s and something different, the four woes. If you look at the four blessings and the four woes I think we can translate them to mean that we’re better to be detached from things than to be attached to them. I don’t think Jesus actually meant that it’s better to be poor, or hungry, or sad but rather, it’s better to not be so attached to things, food, and even people, so that we have more room for God in our lives.
This reminds me a lot of Lent, which, by the way, starts in a little more than two weeks. One of the things we do during Lent is to fast from food and some of the things of the world in order to make room for God in our hearts and to grow closer to Him.
The first reading speaks more plainly about this. Jeremiah tells us those who trust in human beings is cursed (that can feel extreme) but those who trust in the Lord are blessed.
Even the psalm agrees with the message of the other readings though we should understand the law it references is the law of love, not the Mosaic law as the psalmist likely meant originally.
The message today is a recurring one. Don’t be too comfortable in this world and all it offers. Turn toward the Lord and trust in Him. That is the path that leads to Heaven.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Peace, Bob
This and That BLOG 