Jesus invites us to a happiness that does not depend on wealth or human recognition, but on trust in God. Through the Beatitudes, He calls us to see beyond appearances and choose true life. And we, where do we place our trust?
A Fundamental Choice
The prophet Jeremiah confronts us with an essential decision: to put our trust in God and receive His blessing or to rely solely on human strength and suffer the consequences. He reminds us that true freedom and abundant life come from our relationship with the Lord.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord. They will be like a tree planted by the waters, that sends out its roots toward the stream. (Jer 17:7-8)
Today’s Gospel continues this reflection with Luke’s Beatitudes, where Jesus declares blessed the poor, the hungry, the afflicted, and the persecuted. Conversely, He warns those who trust in their wealth, comfort, and social recognition.
The Beatitudes: A Path of Trust
To be a Christian is to choose to follow Christ, living in the spirit of the Beatitudes. This path runs counter to the world’s values and sometimes challenges our own aspirations. The Beatitudes do not glorify suffering, but they announce a reversal of circumstances: those who are afflicted now will find comfort and joy in the Kingdom of God.
At the same time, Jesus’ warnings to the rich and satisfied are not condemnations but calls to conversion. They remind us that true happiness is not found in material possessions or human approval but in trusting God and giving ourselves to others.
Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation! Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry! (Lk 6:24-25)
Daring to Live the Joy of the Gospel
Through these words, Jesus invites us to a deep and lasting joy that does not depend on external circumstances but on our relationship with God.
How do we choose to live this trust today?
Prayer
Lord, open our hearts to the true joy of the Beatitudes. Help us not to seek happiness in fleeting riches but to place our trust in You alone. Teach us to receive Your blessing and to be witnesses of Your love.
Amen.
Scripture References
- Jer 17:5-8
- 1 Cor 15:12,16-20
- Lk 6:17,20-26
Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke
At that time,
Jesus came down with the Twelve
and stood on a stretch of level ground.
A great crowd of His disciples
and a large number of people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon
came to hear Him.
Raising His eyes toward His disciples, He said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
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 laugh now, for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you, for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way.”
For today’s readings, please refer to Vatican News.
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