Newton Basumatari csc –
Readings: Col 3: 1-11; Lk 6: 20-26
Jesus tells us that when we face challenges in our life, we need to consider ourselves blessed because he promised us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to us.
Today in the gospel we hear the words of Jesus saying, ‘blessed are you who are poor, and blessed are you who are hungry, and who face persecution, for yours is the kingdom of God’, but many of us faced a great challenge to be a blessed when we have pain, sorrows, loss and confusion in our lives. Sometimes we may be sad, afraid, or angry with God. Yet Jesus tells us to rejoice and to leap for joy on that day. He reassures us that we will have a great reward in heaven.
On the other hand, Jesus used the word “woe” for the people who are seeking the things that are on earth. They received God’s grace but failed to utilize it to seek the kingdom of God. Today the liturgy of the word invites us to reflect on our own life, whether we consider it a blessing when we are hungry for love, joy, and hope.