Today’s Gospel written by Luke sounds a lot like Matthew’s Gospel of The Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus speaks about the poor, the hungry, the weeping, in both Gospels.  But in this reading, Luke also talks about the “woes” of the happy, the rich, and the filled.
 
We are all familiar with the Sermon on the Mount and the “Blessed”.  We also can understand how God has a special place in His heart for the vulnerable and the miserable. Jesus has always been drawn to visit these types of people and help them.  But by calling them “Blessed” it perhaps gives them hope and comfort to know they will be rewarded in Heaven.
 
But the rich and happy are getting an earful.  I do not believe Jesus is saying, “don’t be rich and happy.”  It’s more like… don’t seek popularity and riches.  Don’t be full of yourself, inconsiderate and self-absorbed just because you have good fortune.  Do not live as though you are privileged.  Speak the truth; and do not only like those who agree with you.
 
What actually motivates and temps us?  Money, fame?  These are the things that could get in the way of our relationship with God.
 
Blessings will be plentiful for everyone if we steer carefully around these temptations and stay on the right path of following Jesus faithfully.  But woes are what we receive if we follow the wrong path and take the short cut.

Dear Parishioners,
 
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus surprises His audience in the Synagogue by reminding them that all people are children of God and that God works through everyone.  The insular nature of society in Jesus’ day would have taken great offense to Jesus’ remarks in this Gospel.  These references are the first, but not the last from His public ministry that all people are called to build the “Kingdom of God” on earth.
 
Later on, there would be stories concerning the Roman Centurion, the Samaritan Woman as well as people who were judged unclean as a result of their diseases and, of course, let us not forget tax collectors and sinners.  These circumstances clearly remind us that tolerance, understanding and openness to those who are different than ourselves are still life lessons for us all.  Our world is now more diverse within the nations on earth and more instantaneously connected than ever before.  Issues such as the status of immigrants and refugees in many nations, both legal and illegal, confront us every day.  The complexities of our foreign policy are overwhelming and are continuously challenging sometimes in life and death struggles in so many nations.  As we have seen, solutions and answers do not come easily.
 
Jesus would have his work cut out for Him were He alive today, but in reality, we are His servants who must engage the world concerning all these issues and hopefully we will be mindful of the wisdom that He places before us.
 

 In Christ,