CYCLE C 6TH ORDINARY
1. Let’s get right to the point. No beating around the bush. For our readings come across strong minded. And in the case of the Gospel it is pretty point blank and addresses serious Gospel values.
At the outset we must understand Jesus is not Blessing a class of people because they are economically poor. Nor at the same time he is condemning a another class of people because they have many possessions. He is telling everyone how they may belong to another class of people. Those that are living the Kingdom of God that He is trying to build.
2. The Lucan Gospel tells us Jesus was preaching to a gathering of Jews, and Gentiles. Some disciples, some poor and others rich. In preaching the BLESSINGS, the Gospel NEWS is meant to give HOPE to those who are poor. Poor, not JUST in terms of a class of people who might live in economic poverty, but in terms of anybody (even those monetarily rich) who on a daily basis puts their trust in God to provide their subsistence or be able to give freely of the good things they have. For all MUST live out their COMMITMENT to God. The poor with the value of PATIENT ENDURANCE and the rich with unbridled GENEROSITY.
This is the type of person, whether they come from the poor class or the rich class, who is considered to be POOR and living in the Kingdom of God and therefore BLESSED in today’s Gospel.
3. Now it is quite important for us to understand what is incumbent upon the rich when it comes to the WOE. While the rich will have varying degrees of POSSESIONS or HIGH POSITION or POWER, the road block to the Kingdom of God for the rich, comes in the position of the heart toward God we take. It is the stance by which we will not commit themselves to Jesus or the Kingdom of God 100%. Jesus sets the standard for entry. And that standard which is explained in the Gospel is that the POSSESIONS, POSITION or POWER we have, MUST NOT to be allowed to control us. Or prevent us from using those Riches to help those who are economically poor in good measure.
4. So the overall purpose of the Gospel with Jesus using powerful words like BLESSING and WOE, is to encourage the ‘Hearer’ of this sermon, especially to those of us who do have more of lifes good things, TO SIT UP, TAKE NOTICE and REFORM.
5. Reform today to enter into the Kingdom of God because…
-Rich or poor, total TRUST in God is preferable to being a person who is SELF RELIANT.
-Rich or Poor that HUNGER for God’s word is preferable to having the SATISFIED APPETITE which tends lead us to ignore God.
-that SORROW and making amends for sin is better than laughing and enjoying the brevity of life here on earth.
-and that POPULARITY in this world or our social circles will be far less advantageous in receiving God’s Graciousness than living the Gospel today.
In the END, for those who don’t have much it is logically easier to reform and Trust God. For those who have more…get a handle on it or get rid of it. Heaven is not concerned with things…but with the heart.
6. The essence of this Gospel with regards to whether or not we are ‘BLESSED or CURSED ….is literally one word. CHOICE.
Our daily lives are filled with choices. Some are more important than other, but they all affect our lives none the less. We choose: Careers, Foods, Roads, Schools, Entertainment and health life styles.
We also choose a GUIDANCE SYSTEM. But this one which affects our entrance into the Kingdom of God is Fundamentally important.
-Do we use our Feelings?
-Do we use our reason?
-Do we use our parents or close friends?
-Do we just follow the crowd or modern culture?
-Do we listen to no one but ourselves?
-Or Do we seek guidance from God, from Jesus or His church?
7. This CHURCH does not tell us to stop caring about things in this world. We are not to see earthly values as empty. Nor are we to be unresponsive to evil in this world. It is not Christian for us to be, or let people abuse, lie, cheat or take advantage of other people.
We are to Respond or live with an active redeeming love. In all things we are to CHOOSE and ENCOURAGE the BLESSED thing. Enduring what ever is necessary or doing whatever is necessary to express to other people the love of Christ for us and we for Him.
This hopefully will help others to CHOOSE CHANGE and be Blessed. And since were not beating around the bush, to choose Otherwise is WOE to them. It’s Have your consolation now…or Have it later in everlasting heaven.
Recent Comments