Reflections on the readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (February 17, 2019): JER 17:5-8; PS 1:1-2,3,4,6; 1COR 15:12,16-20; LK 6:17,20-26
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today’s Gospel according to St. Luke offers the important message of Christ’s sermon on the plain.
It bears many similarities, and some differences, with St. Matthew’s account of Jesus’ sermon on the mount. Here, we listen to our Lord tell those who are poor, hungry and sorrowful that God will bless them and grant them His mercy. But those who are rich, who have full stomachs and are satisfied with their lives and comforts, ignoring those with less, will have their positions reversed. Instead of trying to relieve the burdens of needy neighbors by sharing from their bounty, those who have so much may ignore those they could help. These people who are so well thought of in this world have no reason to expect God’s generosity in the next since they never showed generosity themselves.
Jesus is calling us to imitate Him and that means loving our neighbors and caring for their material and spiritual needs to the best of our ability. And just as Christ would suffer and die for our salvation, we must be willing to follow Him wherever He leads and whatever it costs. “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” (Luke 6:22-23). We need to recognize our dependence on God for all we are and all we have now as well as for the welfare of our eternal souls. We must entrust our selves to Him to be the good and holy people He wants us to be.