VI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 6:17,20-26
In this Sunday’s liturgy, the first reading is like an introduction to the gospel. Jeremiah speaks of two possible attitudes towards God, with completely different consequences. We may put our trust in the Lord, thus being blessed and always bearing plenty of fruit or we may rely on the things that surround us and put our trust on our human capacity and our human endeavours, ending up in disaster. Jeremiah doesn’t beat about the bush, but hits the nail on the head:
“A curse on the man who puts his trust in man,
who relies on things of flesh,
whose heart turns from the Lord.”
Before God, we become aware of our own weaknesses and shortcomings, but we do not lose hope since we know that God is by our side and we experience his love and his care. If we turn our backs on God, then we are left to ourselves and soon will come to our wits’ end, in such a way that “if good comes, he has no eyes for it”.
Putting all our trust in human intelligence, we become confident that science will solve all problems and will bring in the fulfilment of all our dreams. However, this optimism may be followed very soon by pessimism, because as it solves a few problems, it creates bigger ones and we may end destroying ourselves and the world we live in. It is as if we curse ourselves when we turn our backs to God and concentrate our gaze on our navel.
In the gospel, Jesus presents two situations with two completely different destinies.
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How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.
Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied.
Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.
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Alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.
Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry.
Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.
Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’
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These two different destinies are the result of our choices in life and we make our choices according to what we value. All of us long for happiness and are ready to try different kinds of recipes so that we get it. Soon we will discover that there are no human recipes. Riches and power will not bring it and going after all forms of pleasure will not satisfy us. Only the search for truth and goodness, done with trust in the Lord will make life worth living.
Psalm 1 puts it very clearly:
Happy indeed is the man
who follows not the counsel of the wicked;
nor lingers in the way of sinners
nor sits in the company of scorners,
but whose delight is the law of the Lord
and who ponders his law day and night.
In which way are we going to live our lives? Let us put our trust in the Lord.
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